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RCED-95-178R 1 (1995-05-26)

handle is hein.gao/gaobackvj0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 
                                                                  /5.4 366

GAO             United States
                General Accounting Office
                Washington, D.C. 20548

                Resources, Community, and
                Economic Development Division

                B-261351


                May 26, 1995

                The Honorable Richard G. Lugar
                Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
                  Nutrition, and Forestry
                  United States Senate

                  Dear Mr. Chairman:

                  As agreed with your office, this report provides information on laboratory
                  closings and research reductions being undertaken in fiscal year 1995 by the
                  U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) as well
                  as ARS' proposals for further closings and research reductions in fiscal year
                  1996.

                  ARS is responsible for conducting research on a broad range of agricultural
                  issues, including plant and animal sciences; human nutrition; soil, water, and
                  air sciences; and the economic viability and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture
                  and rural economies. At the end of fiscal year 1994, ARS employed about
                  6,700 full-time staff and was undertaking about 1,300 research projects at 127
                  laboratories nationwide and in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several
                  foreign countries. (See encl. I, fig. 1.1.) Between 1979 and 1994, ARS closed
                  33 laboratories--an average of about 2 facilities each year. (See encl. I, fig.
                  1.2.) In fiscal year 1995, ARS' funding was $712 million.

                  In summary, ARS is closing 10 laboratories in fiscal year 1995 and proposes
                  closing an additional 12 in fiscal year 1996. It also plans to terminate 28
                  research programs at 16 other laboratories during fiscal years 1995 and 1996.
                  These actions involve an average of about 3 percent of the organization's
                  funding. Through its laboratory closures and research program terminations,
                  ARS estimates it will reduce research costs by approximately $37.8 million
                  during fiscal years 1995 and 1996. However, these closings and program
                  terminations will not result in a reduction in ARS' budget, since the $37.8
                  million will be redirected to other, higher-priority research within the agency. In
                  addition, during fiscal years 1995 and 1996, ARS will incur nearly $14 million
                  in one-time costs to close the facilities and programs.


GAOIRCED-96-178R Agricultural Research Lab Closings

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