What price food safety research?
Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University to make an independent estimate of the value of the Centre to New Zealand
The NZFSSRC commissioned the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University to make an independent estimate of the value of the Centre to New Zealand. We have the results. Of course, it is not easy to put a dollar value on what is effectively an insurance policy against what may or may not have happened without the Centre’s services. They used case studies from the dairy, kiwifruit and poultry industries, and also calculated the benefits of helping industry learn how to apply whole genome sequencing, and the range of support provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their conservative estimate is $164 million per year, an impressive return on the government’s $2.5 million investment, and roughly matching contribution from industry. Members they interviewed extolled the value of the Centre as a fast and efficient way of getting access to the best scientists for the job, and expertise in identifying, framing and managing research projects. It saves them time, and gives managers and board members confidence in the research.
Published on: 27 June 2023
