Biotech Updates

New Zealand: New Plant and Food Research Institute Formed

December 12, 2008

The New Zealand government is endorsing the merger of two of the country's largest science and research institutes. Crop and Food Research and HortResearch have joined forces and will be known as the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research. The merger will combine the country’s leading horticulture, arable and seafood research in a single, focused organization.

“This is a milestone in New Zealand’s science history. We are a small country and it is important for us to make best use of our scientific capabilities, particularly in the plant and food science areas,” says Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

The merged organization has over 900 staff based at sites throughout New Zealand as well as science and business development staff working in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. Annual revenues for the new company are expected to be in the region of $120 million.

Read the press release at http://www.crop.cri.nz/home/index.php