Government's centralisation drive must not threaten Macaulay Institute

5.00.00pm GMT Wed 30th Jan 2008

Responding to the First Minister's statement that the Macaulay and Scottish Crop Research Institute should merge, Scottish Liberal Democrat Climate Change spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"I recently visited the Macaulay Institute to learn for myself the valuable work it is carrying out in providing evidence on climate change. It would be very concerning if the Macaulay's unique approach, which harnesses a mix of environmental and social services to a strong understanding of the role of communities in bringing about change, is threatened by the government's drive for centralisation."