The organisation representing graduates in the agriculture and food industry has warned about the danger of targeting science and technology for budget cuts as a solution to the current difficulties in the public finances.

Gerry Scully, President of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), said a reduction in investment in agriculture and food research, advice and innovation would starve the sector of competitive, cutting-edge technology.

Addressing the opening of the ASA annual conference in Galway last night (Thursday 11 September), Gerry Scully said the massive cutbacks in the late 1980s put the Irish agriculture and food industry at a serious disadvantage relative to its international competitors.

"Support for research, advisory and training services was cut by over 40 per cent in 1988. It set back services provided by Teagasc, particularly in agriculture and food research, by up to 10 years. We should learn from the mistakes that were made at that time," he said.

"With the current buoyancy in global food prices, the Irish agri-food sector is poised to play a key role in export earnings. Studies have shown that every euro spent on research and innovation in the agri-food sector gives a ten-fold return in benefits to the economy. Increased capacity has been developed in agriculture and food research during the past decade and this should not now be jeopardised," he said.