Commercial R&D linkage with public agro-food institutions

Recent changes in research policy have shown an increasing reliance on the private sector as a source of funding for public sector research institutes . Accordingly this note reveals the results of a survey into the level and type of linkage between the agro-food industries and the public research in stitutes. Furthermore, it addresses the motivations for linkage and whether there are any major obstructions to its growth. It concludes that the main motivation for linkage, a search for in-depth expertise, is threatened by the Government's reductions in funding levels. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.