21st Century - First Few Years

The mood in government changed. Originally it recognised that horticulture should be supported, as there was no subsidies under the existing CAP scheme, while agriculture was well subsidised. Funding Horticultural research made some of that up. However, when CAP became the Single Payment, it meanst horticulturalist could receive payments for looking after land (over 0.3 hect). More on CAP - and latest consultation.

December 2000

House of Commons Select Committee on Agriculture

The Agriculture Committee meets, and publishes a Report:- HORTICULTURE RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL The process of change at HRI is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Its restructuring programme means that it should be a very different organisation in twelve months time. As it changes, it is imperative that HRI focus on its remit and the requirements of its customers and that it become more responsive to change in the availability of public sector funding. See also the Press Notice

September 2002

Defra Quinquennial Review of Horticulture Research International considered HRI was unviable as currently constituted, and costs should be reduced, sites rationalised, and a new business plan put in place. After the review was published, Defra invited comments (Defra Press Release 373/02, 23 September 2002.)

Having considered the comments, Defra published an addendum to its review. Change of plan - instead of recommending that existing links with the University of Warwick should be “maintained, with merger being considered in the medium-to-longer term”, now it recommended that “discussions [about a merger] are conducted between HRI and Warwick as soon as possible with a view to seeking the best outcome for the future of HRI in the shorter term”. .

June 2003

House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee produced another Report:- HORTICULTURE RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL (pdf)

Whilst there are a number of detailed concerns, support for the findings of the quinquennial review, as modified in the addendum, appears to be strong and widespread. In particular the prospect of a merger between ‘new HRI’ and the University of Warwick presents opportunities for synergies between the expertise of HRI and the established academic and business abilities of the University.