Botanic Garden Needs Funding to Boost Scientific Role

The National Assembly should provide annual revenue funding for the National Botanic Garden to boost its scientific research capacity, says a major new report from the Institute of Welsh Affairs. The report An Icon for Modern Wales: Realising the Benefits of the National Botanic Garden, points out that it is the only national botanic garden in the world to have to cover its own running costs without a large annual state subsidy. Kew Gardens in London receive £16 million a year and Scotland's National Botanic Garden at Edinburgh receives £5.5 million. The report's authors, scientists Dr Neil Caldwell and Professor John Stoner, conclude:

"The development of a serious scientific operation at Middleton will only be possible with grant-in-aid from the National Assembly. It is vital that resources are found to bring a research team together under an experienced and well-qualified leader. For the truth is that without a scientific core of genuine international standing it will be difficult to justify the terms 'National' and 'Botanic' for very long".

The report is being launched at a major conference at the Garden on Friday 16th February with a range of expert speakers that include Sue Essex AM, Minister for the Environment, Planning and Transport; Cynog Dafis, Plaid Cymru AM for Mid and West Wales; Professor Charles Stirton, Director of the Garden; and Professor Dai Smith, Professor of Regeneration at the University of Glamorgan.

Production of the report has been overseen by a working group with representatives from the Institute of Welsh Affairs, the National Botanic Garden, Carmarthenshire County Council, the Welsh Development Agency, the West Wales TEC and the Wales Tourist Board. "The report's recommendations have an enhanced authority because of this collaboration across the key agencies involved," said IWA Director John Osmond.

The report's authors say that the Garden has achieved spectacular success in its short life, a record that needs to be built upon by maximising its contribution to the Welsh economy and providing an essential part of a positive image for Wales in the world:

"It is becoming known as 'the dome that worked' ­ a reference to the award-winning great glasshouse designed by Foster and Partners to reflect the rounded hills of Carmarthenshire, and of course to London's ill-fated Millennium Dome. This illustrates another achievement in our hypercritical media-dominated world. Despite its fair share of difficulties and frustrations, the Garden has managed to present itself to the world in a wholly positive and inspirational way. This is no mean feat."