Agricultural public-sector research establishments in Western Europe: Research priorities in conflict

Two conflicting pressures face agriculture-related PSREs (public-sector research establishments) in Western Europe. Governments expect them to contribute to national economic performance and build links with industry, thus assisting particularly the major private-sector innovation trajectory involving biotechnology. PSREs are also expected to use their knowledge and expertise in the public interest, in at least two ways: by developing new techniques and products that have public benefits but are unlikely to be commercially attractive; and by being a public ‘watchdog’, for instance, by assessing possible environmental risks from agricultural inputs and practices. Increased private-sector involvement poses problems for their public-service role. The case studies reported here cast doubt on suggestions that knowledge production becomes more socially accountable as research priorities address real-world practical problems. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.