Investment benefits need to be transparent

News today that the Government is investing millions in a PGG Wrightson spearheaded research programme reinforces suspicions that its Primary Growth Partnership fund is there to support existing large agri-business rather than genuine research and home-grown innovation, says Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson, Damien O’Connor.

“The Government has been particularly cagey when it comes to releasing details of its major PGP contracts, or key performance indicators that would assure taxpayers that they are getting value for their investments through the fund.

“Those taxpayers include a growing number of scientists and innovators working within the agriculture sector who are increasingly frustrated at the huge amount of money being dished out to large companies without any guaranteed return.

“This is yet again another example of a Government refusing to show real leadership.

“Rather than taking the agriculture and horticulture sectors forward, it is content to leave that responsibility in the hands of large corporations.

“And that brings big risks. Where, for instance, is the assurance that the benefits of this research will be available, first and foremost, to New Zealand farmers?  After all PGG Wrightson is a Chinese controlled company.

“If we are to see a step change in the sector we need to be looking wider than the biggest companies. Many of the best and most transformational innovations start small.

“It’s time the Government dropped its ‘big boy’ fixation and supported some of the smaller applications for research and development funding,” says Damien O’Connor.