 The horticultural research site will benefit from more than �12m |
One of the South East's leading centres for research into fruits and plants has been saved by millions of pounds of government funding. Scientists at the Horticulture Research International, near Maidstone in Kent, say their work is vital for the future of Britain's fruit industry.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has awarded it �12m over a period of six years.
The new funding follows 18 months of uncertainty, after a review identified the need for change at the centre.
DNA research
The centre has used science to develop new ornamental plants, different types of hops for beers, and new fruit varieties.
It is also developing DNA fingerprinting techniques to identify and breed new varieties of apples which are resistant to diseases - the kind of research which is crucial to the future of Kent's fruit growing industry.
The site was previously government funded and controlled, but has now been transferred to the independent sector.
From 1 April, the part of it that was based at the East Malling Research Station will become a limited company and registered charity called East Malling Research.
About 50 people have lost their jobs in the transfer.
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