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Plant & Food Research to lead New Zealand research in horticulture and food development

Wednesday 17 November 2010, 4:01PM

By Plant & Food Research

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16 November 2010 Minister of Research, Science and Technology, the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, today released Statements of Core Purpose for each of New Zealand’s eight Crown Research Institutes, including Plant & Food Research.

Plant & Food Research has been confirmed as the lead institute in the breeding of new fruit, vegetable and crop cultivars, the development of sustainable production systems for horticultural and arable industries, and the development of new plant and seafood-based food, ingredients and biomaterials. Plant & Food will also collaborate with other CRIs and research organisations in the fields of biosecurity and climate change adaptation, as well as land, soil and water management.

“Plant & Food Research was created with the vision of enhancing the value and productivity of New Zealand’s horticultural, arable and seafood industries,” says Peter Landon-Lane, Chief Executive Officer. “Over the past two years, we have demonstrated our commitment to leading research in these areas, and this has been reflected in the development, in dialogue with the government and our stakeholders, of our Statement of Core Purpose.”

The publication of the Statements of Core Purpose is the first stage of implementation of the recent CRI Taskforce recommendations to government. Activities to address other recommendations will be implemented over the following months. This includes the formation of the new Ministry of Science and Innovation, launched on 1 November this year, and the establishment of new core purpose funding that will allow Plant & Food Research to work more strategically with its industry partners to deliver on their targets.

The Plant & Food Research Statement of Core Purpose can be found at www.plantandfood.co.nz/page/about-us/publications/ or on the Ministry of Research Science and Technology website at www.morst.govt.nz/scp.

Contact:
Emma Timewell
Senior Communications Advisor, Marketing & Communications,
Plant & Food Research Mt Albert,
120 Mt Albert Road, Sandringham
Auckland, 1025, New Zealand
EMail: media@plantandfood.co.nz
Telephone: +64-9-925 8692
Mobile: +64-21-2429 365