Scientists at the AgResearch crown research institute are to be laid off as the company seeks a saving of $5 million a year, the Public Service Association says.
Union secretary Richard Wagstaff said work done by the scientists was crucial to the economy, lifting productivity in the farmingindustry which produced a third of New Zealand's exports and was worth more than $10 billion annually.
It was not known how many jobs were in danger, nor in which areas cuts were likely to be made. Mr Wagstaff expected dozens of workers would be affected.
The PSA said when AgResearch announced the cuts late last week, it called for people seeking voluntary severance to come forward.
