Invermay

For the past 40 years, Millers Flat farmer Peter Macdougall has used science from Invermay to develop his hill-country property.

Immigration Minister and Dunedin-based list MP Michael Woodhouse is not convinced AgResearch has yet made its case for shifting scientists from Invermay to Lincoln.

Deer farmers attending a recent field day at Invermay were urged to recognise they were ''at the Mecca'' for deer biological research.

AgResearch's chairman has been attacked for saying only a small number of scientists at Invermay are ''mission critical'' to the organisation.

A petition to overturn a decision to slash jobs at Invermay was launched by Dunedin North MP David Clark in Dunedin yesterday.

After nine years on the board of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, the final three as chairman, PeterMcIntyre has stood down, having served his three terms in office. As he leaves, he considers the economic future of Dunedin and Otago.

More than 40% of AgResearch staff who responded to a survey say they will retire or find work elsewhere rather than move as part of the organisation's restructuring plan.

The University of Otago was not given warning about the decision to slash Invermay jobs and AgResearch declined a request to discuss restructuring plans before announcing them in July.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has admitted there was no ''robust and accepted methodology'' behind shifting Invermay jobs, Labour's MP for Dunedin North David Clark says.

The head of AgResearch says an economic report criticising its case for slashing jobs at Invermay was ''narrow'' and ''subjective''.

Independent analysis of AgResearch's $100 million restructuring plan has ''blown apart'' the case for slashing jobs at Invermay, local politicians say.

The chief of the company which found holes in AgResearch's case for cutting jobs at Invermay has fired back at comments by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce questioning its independence and the quality of its work.

The Government is beginning to question its support for AgResearch's plan to slash jobs at Invermay, former Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson says.

Agresearch could reverse its plan to shift about 80 jobs from Invermay if enough staff refuse to move, Beef and Lamb New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen says.

The southern delegation fighting plans to downsize Invermay will make its case to a group representing AgResearch's board and management today.

Those fighting to save jobs at Invermay believe their efforts are causing some on the AgResearch board to doubt the wisdom of the restructuring plan.

The Government has been slammed after a leaked document revealed it approved a ''shoddy'' AgResearch business case for restructuring, which included slashing jobs at Invermay.

A new leak reveals AgResearch made a submission to Dunedin City Council enthusiastic about expanding Invermay, only months before presenting plans to the Government to slash jobs at the facility.