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Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced the appointment of 
AgResearch, in collaboration with eight other New Zealand research 
organisations, as host provider for the new Centre for Agricultural 
Greenhouse Gas Research.<br />
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<p>
The partners are the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium 
(PGgRc), DairyNZ, Lincoln and Massey Universities, and Crown Research 
Institutes Landcare Research, NIWA, Plant and Food Research and Scion. 
</p>
<p>
&quot;AgResearch was selected to host the new Centre because of its track 
record and scientific capability in the areas of agricultural greenhouse
gas research. This will be enhanced by the contributions of its 
partnering organisations,&quot; says Mr Carter. 
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&quot;Collectively the group represents almost 95 percent of the research 
conducted into agricultural mitigation in New Zealand and it has strong 
international links, reflecting New Zealand&#39;s leading reputation in this
area.&quot;
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The Centre, established as part of the Government&#39;s Primary Growth 
Partnership initiative, will receive funding of $5 million per year for 
10 years. It will be physically located on the AgResearch campus in 
Palmerston North and across the country at the various partners&#39; 
facilities.
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<p>
&quot;The Centre for Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research will promote 
win-win technologies that reduce emissions, and improve on-farm 
efficiency and productivity,&quot; says Mr Carter. 
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<p>
&quot;It is clear that agriculture will be part of New Zealand&#39;s emissions
reduction efforts, but the sector must have access to effective and 
affordable technologies that do not compromise productivity.
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<p>
&quot;The Government is also currently working on a Global Alliance of 
climate change research into agriculture and food production. The 
domestic centre will be a key contributor to New Zealand&#39;s participation
in the Alliance and its commitment to mitigating the effects of 
agricultural greenhouse gases.&quot; 
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<p>
About half of New Zealand&#39;s greenhouse gas emissions come from 
agriculture, with methane from ruminant animals the biggest contributor.
</p>
<p>
David Carter - Agriculture
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<a href="http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/agresearch-host-greenhouse-gas-research-centre" target="_blank" title="http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/agresearch-host... - link will open in a new window">LINK </a><br />
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