IGER's future must be secured

3.11.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Feb 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has asked the Environment Minister to remember the IGER employees in her constituency as he discusses the Institute's future.

The Minister took questions yesterday at the Assembly yesterday, following the announcement that 40 jobs would be lost from the Institute's base in Aberystwyth.

Ms Williams said: "The immediate threat to jobs is in the north Ceredigion area, but IGER does have a field station at Mynydd Mawr, just outside Trecastle. I have asked the Minister to emphasise the importance of continuing the research and employment that goes on there during his discussions with DEFRA about the Institute's future. It would be a severe blow to the constituency if jobs there were also lost."