Sir

English agricultural researchers can be pleased with the international comparison of research impact (Nature 396, 615–618; 1998). Looking at 47 subjects from 1988 to 1996, the analysis shows that agriculture was one of only five subjects in which England came top of the list. Within England, agriculture came second only to pharmacology/pharmacy.

However, towards the end of that period and subsequently, there has been decreasing emphasis on agricultural research in England. The former Agricultural and Food Research Council has omitted the word ‘Agricultural’ from its name and changed its orientation accordingly. Some university departments of agriculture have become subsumed into biological schools and some are unable to fill vacant agriculture chairs. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has terminated its Postgraduate Agricultural Studentship Scheme for training agricultural researchers.

The former MAFF extension service has been privatized: will its researchers now have much interest in diverting time from income generation to publication in refereed journals?

In the light of the above changes, it is difficult to see the international success of English agricultural research being maintained.