Narrabri CRC to close due to funding reduction
06-September-2011
Funding cuts to the Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), which will result in the closure of the Narrabri based centre from June 2012, is a blow to the region Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton declared.
The Cotton Catchment Communities CRC is one of sixteen research facilities that have not been refunded due to cuts of $33 million to agricultural research and development by the Gillard Government.
“CRCs play a pivotal role in agricultural research and development,” Mr Coulton said. “The Cotton Catchment Communities CRC is particularly important in terms of improving productivity and efficiency for cotton producers.”
Mr Coulton said the Narrabri Cotton Catchment Communities CRC had been very successful and that the reduction of funding for CRCs has been poorly timed.
“As I understand it the Narrabri based CRC has approximately seventy current projects. These projects range from reducing the amount of chemicals used for weed control to business training for young farmers.”
“The closure of the centre could not come at a worse time. Cotton production is increasing across the Parkes Electorate due to the flooding over summer, which allowed people to replenish their reservoirs. The increased production proves that investment in research and development in this industry is paramount.”
“Narrabri is at the centre of cotton country and to pull funding from this centre will not only mean that future innovations for the cotton industry will be hampered, it will also result in job losses. The people who work at this centre are passionate about the work they do, so the news that this centre will not receive any funding from June 2012 will be quite devastating.”
“The Government is proving time and time again that they have little regard for agriculture and rural and regional Australia. This is unfortunately another example.”