Publisher's Synopsis
Following on from a NAO report (HCP 300, session 2002-03; ISBN 0102920303), this report examines the extent to which commercial use has been made of the agricultural research and development commissioned by the Government.;Since the 1990s, about 100 million pounds a year has been spent in funding for a range of research establishments. Conclusions drawn include: income from commercialization is less than one per cent of DEFRA's expenditure on research, suggesting that it lacks the leadership and enthusiasm to promote commercialization. Expected outcomes need to be specified and trends monitored to help identify opportunities for exploitation of research; research establishments need to develop management strategies to maximize commercial opportunities and get advice on negotiating skills in order to effectively exploit intellectual property, and should report annually to DEFRA on their success; and the need for DEFRA to establish explicit risk management strategies to balance effective commercial exploitation with public policy objectives, and to maintain full transparency in its dealings with the private sector.
