THE dust has yet to settle over plans to sell off eight research stations, including the grower-funded Leslie Research Centre in Toowoomba.
Last week, noted Queensland grain grower Damien Scanlon urged the Bligh Government to reconsider its proposed shake-up of grains research and development centres, arguing they had suffered serious staff cutbacks, plus had been operating well under capacity for many years.
"Growers should not be fooled by the Minister's talk of disinvest and reinvest, which does not address the equity issue," Mr Scanlan said.
But this puts him at odds with AgForce Grains president Lyndon Pfeffer, who says the lobby group is supportive of the Queensland Government's disinvest to reinvest strategy, adding that it wants to see "benefits and efficiencies" for future research and development.
Mr Pfeffer acknowledges there is a great deal of passion surrounding the Leslie Research Centre in Toowoomba, which was bought and built with more than 90 percent funding by grain growers.
AgForce concedes it has been involved in discussions about how the research revamp can be achieved in the run-up to Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin outlining his Fresh Approach strategy to research and development, including the sale of Leslie Research Centre.
"(But) AgForce definitely has not agreed to the sale of any research facilities, and we were only made aware of some options under consideration at the industry consultation on September 25," Mr Pfeffer said.
"Management of R&D in Queensland is an unresolved issue that needs further consideration, and AgForce has concerns with any changes which diminish wheat, barley and winter pulses' breeding and rely on research from elsewhere."
Should the Leslie Centre be sold, however, there is agreement that grower equity needs to be recognised.
Grains Research Foundation Limited (GRFL) chairman Damien Scanlan maintains that Minister Mulherin has refused to give an assurance that millions of dollars worth of growers' equity in the Leslie Research Centre will be recognised.
Mr Scanlan says "recognition of grower equity" does not mean selling an asset that was purchased by grain growers, and then spending the money at other research facilities, without giving growers an ongoing proprietary interest.
Likewise, AgForce Grains' Lyndon Pfeffer makes the point the Leslie Research Centre is a valuable asset that has appreciated over time and belongs to Queensland growers.
"Some rationalisation of research facilities is required and AgForce Grains is of the opinion that modern technology and communications can streamline research, development and extension," Mr Pfeffer said.
"However, we believe these efficiencies must not be at the expense of losing capacity in human resources or research stations. This is a major issue for QPIF and the grains industry which still needs resolution."
As the controversy over the proposed sale of Leslie Research centre intensifies, Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin has refuted suggestions the number of researchers has been reduced.
Mr Mulherin's office says the number of permanent professional research staff across Queensland in plant science have increased from 140 to 147 during the past three years.
"There are 22 professional research staff at Leslie, down from 25 in 2006," a spokesman for Mr Mulherin said.
"The reason for this is due to fluctuations in industry funding and new commercial arrangements with Enterprise Grains Australia.".
The spokesman said the centre was below international standards and estimates to upgrade the facilities including laboratories will cost about $3m.
"The proposed sale of Leslie Research centre will involve the reinvestment of funds to ensure the grains industry in Queensland has world class R&D capability."
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