Lord Whitty, minister for food and farming, published the report on September 22, and the review team's recommendations are that the East Malling station should 'either be closed or become part of the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research'.

If the proposals go through, this will have far-reaching effects on the way HRI delivers science and technology to its customers. HRI insists it sees the report as a 'welcome review', and is keen to consult with key stakeholders to 'develop a sound strategy and business plan for a more secure, stable and profitable future'. As a result, HRI will be submitting a plan to Whitty.

The report suggests HRI should cease to be a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra. HRI Wellesbourne, Kirton and Efford should continue to operate as registered companies and charities, with a view to merging.

This new organisation should receive a Defra contract initially for four years for carrying out an agreed r&d programme. HRI East Malling should either close or become an independent research station. And HRI Wye should be transferred to Imperial College, London at Wye.

HRI's communications manager Sarah Cook said: 'The review sets out a very thorough analysis of how HRI operates. We have to wait through the consultation period, but it is a welcome review.

'The whole point of the review is to set out the situation and for people to respond, so to pre-empt the outcome is difficult.' Whitty stated: 'I believe there is much substance, value and realism in the review team's analysis. Clearly there are lessons to be learnt for everyone. I hope that Defra, HRI and the horticulture industry can all work together in partnership to achieve a sustainable future for the centre of excellence that HRI represents.

'Horticulture is an important contributor to the rural economy and in many ways leads other agriculture sectors in the quest to be sustainable, modern, diverse and adaptable. Against a background of pressure on Defra's research priorities, it is vital that research provides value for money and is directed to provide the best possible foundation for the industry.' HRI was established by the government 12 years ago as the principle UK contractor for horticultural r&d. Declining funding from Defra has led to a regular downsizing of programmes, although HRI East Malling opened a new conference centre last week.

Cook said: 'The new centre is obviously a very valuable resource and there must be confidence in the site for the centre to have opened. We are all confident that the site will prove a success.' Dr Ian Graham-Bryce, chairman of the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, responding to the suggestion that HRI should merge with the trust, said: 'The committee's recommendations will now be open for comment before final decisions are made by the minister. However, we should give the review group credit for grasping nettles and coming up with decisive recommendations, although some are clearly contentious.

'The East Malling Trust will be particularly concerned to safeguard the capability for research in the areas that it has traditionally supported. We shall be examining carefully the implications of the recommendation that we should take over the East Malling operation.' Whitty stressed Defra's commitment to recognising HRI's expertise, but said there was considerable pressure on Defra's budgets. While he thought it would be sensible for stakeholders to have a long-term review, he believed a 10-year plan would be too inflexible for changing research trends. Whitty said he would like to see different elements of the industry communicating with each other.

A final recommendation will be made on November 18.