HL Deb 24 July 1986 vol 479 c484WA
Lord Stanley of Alderley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have reached a decision on the proposed transfer of the National Seed Development Organisation and the Plant Breeding Institute to the private sector.

The Earl of Swinton

I announced on 18th February that the Government had decided that a transfer of the National Seed Development Organisation (NSDO) and part of the Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) to the private sector would be desirable providing it can be achieved on satisfactory terms. Lazard Brothers & Company Ltd. have studied the options and reported. The Government are satisfied that transferring NSDO and the applied plant breeding departments at PBI to the private sector is the best way of ensuring that their experience and expertise is applied and developed to the fullest extent and to the maximum benefit of UK agriculture and the UK economy.

In consequence, the intention is to offer the NSDO and the PBI applied breeding departments, with certain scientific and support elements, for sale later this year. The strategic plant science departments at the PBI will remain in the public sector and become part of the Agricultural and Food Research Council's new Institute of Plant Science Research. This science will continue to underpin plant breeding in both the public and private sectors.

The Government recognise and commend the vital contribution of NSDO and PBI staff to present and past successes. The belief is that all of the staff concerned will respond well to the new opportunities for continuing success to the benefit of the UK created by its sale and the parallel creation of the new institute.

Interested purchasers will be asked to give a full statement of their future intentions for the assets in relation to UK needs and capabilities of plant breeding and seed marketing, and to benefits to the UK economy. A decision to proceed with the sale will be subject to obtaining satisfactory terms, particularly with regard to the needs of UK agriculture and horticulture.

The Government will shortly be appointing financial advisers to assist with the proposed sale.