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Maximising the Potential of The Institute of Food Research (IFR)

May 20, 1998

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) announced today that the Institute of Food Research, currently based at Norwich and Reading, will be consolidated on one site at Norwich. BBSRC expects this move to a single site operation, resulting in an institute with about 350 staff, to be largely complete by September 2000.

Announcing the decision, BBSRC Chief Executive Professor Ray Baker said:
"Our priority has been to identify the scientific strengths, and the needs of the users of our research, to define the best infrastructure for the IFR that will establish it as an internationally competitive centre of research which will meet the needs of UK consumers, industry and government.
The Institute will also support the new Food Standards Agency through increased emphasis on food safety research especially microbial food safety and improved understanding of the basic genetics and physiology of food-borne pathogens".

IFR will focus on three strategic areas of research:
* Food safety and preservation
* Nutrition, diet and health
* Food quality and acceptability
BBSRC and the Institute will continue to consult industry, government and other users to guide the more detailed development of the future scientific programme.

In making its decision, the BBSRC considered in detail the recommendation of a Council Working Group, chaired by Professor Bernard Atkinson, that IFR should move to a single site. It concluded that continued operations on two sites, as at present, was unacceptable from the viewpoint of creating greater synergy and critical mass among IFR researchers, and enabling the IFR to achieve its new objectives. After considering various options, the Council has decided that, with the exception of some work on consumer sciences, which will be subject to further discussions, research at the current Reading laboratory will be transferred to the Norwich site or gradually scaled down over a two-year period.

Subject to future levels of funding from non-BBSRC sources, up to 100 additional posts are expected to be created at Norwich, resulting from the transfer of staff from Reading and new recruits. However, the Council regrets that the new science strategy and consolidation means that up to 60 redundancies among established staff, mostly at Reading but including some at Norwich, will be unavoidable. Consultations with staff and unions on the details of the consolidation process will begin immediately.

Commenting on the decision, Professor Baker said:
"We must make the most of our potential. There are some exciting opportunities and significant responsibilities in the area of food research. The scientific synergy offered by consolidating the Institute on the Norwich Research Park, alongside the John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia, and the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, will greatly assist IFR in meeting its mission. It will bring together a critical mass of researchers able to investigate key topics in food issues, and I hope have reciprocal benefits for those partners".

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

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