MAF POLICY FUNDED OPERATIONAL RESEARCH IN PROGRESS 1996/97
1.1 The Origin of the Funds
During the science reforms of the early '90s all the funding which had previously been voted for research by departments, such as MAF and DSIR, was used to create the Public Good Science Fund (PGSF). However, it was subsequently decided that MAF should receive funding to enable it to contract research to underpin policy development and the operations of the Chief Veterinary and Plants Officers after its agricultural research arm, MAF Technology, was transferred to the new Crown Research Institutes. These funds were to be managed by the Science Policy Unit which was to be established on 1 July 1992, the date of transfer.
The quantum of money needed was estimated by the Chiefs in 1990 when they were asked to examine the research programmes which MAF Technology was undertaking, at that time, and indicate which ones could be considered to be underpinning their work. The programmes identified covered aspects of research into bovine Tb, hydatids and sheep measles, weeds, chemical residues on horticultural crops and biocontrol of some plant pests of particular phytosanitary significance.
While this exercise was undertaken in the belief that it was to determine the quantum of funding which was appropriate for MAF to receive the results were used in an unexpected manner. What happened, in 1992, was that the agreed quantum of funding was provided, as anticipated, but unexpectedly it was taken from the PGSF complete with the research programmes which were the successors to the programmes identified two years earlier. This meant that while the appropriate funding had been made available its use was severely constrained by it being fully committed. Moreover, some of the programmes had been promised three year funding from the PGSF.
The research teams involved suddenly found that rather than being fully supported by the Foundation for Research Science and Technology, which allocates research funds, they were contracted to MAF which, in contrast, seeks to purchase specified information from science providers. This caused considerable consternation.
Since 1992 there has been a gradual realignment of the research portfolio makingmaximum use, where possible, of the teams which were disrupted by the process outlined above.
Since 1992 Government has provided additional funds for specific purposes. Namely, undertaking research into biological control of possums, Hieracium management, Rabbit Calicivirus Disease and organisms in ballast water. Government also exempted the operational research funds from the departmental baseline cuts for the 1994/95 and 1995/96 financial years. This move highlights Government's belief in the need to increase the public investment in science to match the OECD country-average of 0.8% GDP by 2010.
In 1996 the Government announced further funding for research on the environment in the "Green Package". This is a comprehensive funding package designed to address, primarily, environmental and conservation issues. A total commitment of $110 million over the three financial years 1996/97, 97/98, 98/99 is involved. The directions are consistent with those outlined in the Government’s Environment 2010 Strategy released in September 1995.
Under this package, $6.25 million was allocated to MAF to continue the possum biocontrol research programme through 1998/99.
1.2 The Current Operation
MAF Policy is responsible for providing the Minister of Agriculture with policy advice on a wide range of issues. Sound policy advice is built on a foundation of robust data. Where there is a lack of suitable information MAF may seek to contract a research group to provide it.
This type of research which provides information to assist in policy development is known as "operational research."
Operational research is research funded through departmental votes and established by chief executives to:
- policy advice to Ministers,
- with the execution of statutory duties,
- purchasing decisions,
- practice, programmes or policies funded by organisations (usually departments),
- departmental advisory services to industry or the community,
- the production of specific outputs which are agreed between chief executives or departments and their Minister, and appear in the department's corporate plan.
Research currently being carried out under contract are covered in the following categories:
- control,
- Water
- Agriculture,
- calicivirus disease,
- Welfare,
- in ballast water.
The funding for the various topics is shown in Figures 1 - 4 while programme-level funding is shown in Appendix 1.
MAF is currently reviewing its operational research system in order to enhance its effectiveness. A key first step is determining priority research categories for the next five years. We expect priorities to be established, with the agreement of the Minister of Agriculture, by the end of 1996 for promulgation to interested parties. A clear statement of research priorities should assist science providers in determining the type of research MAF Policy is likely to fund. MAF will also be reviewing the contracting and evaluation processes before the next bidding round commences in March 1997.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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