Agricultural Research Lab Closings

GAO provided information on laboratory closings and research reductions being undertaken in fiscal years (FY) 1995 and 1996 by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). GAO noted that: (1) ARS is closing 10 laboratories in FY 1995 and proposes closing 12 more laboratories in FY 1996; (2) ARS plans to terminate 28 research programs at 16 other laboratories during FY 1995 and 1996; (3) ARS estimates that these closures and terminations will reduce research costs by about $37.8 million during FY 1995 and 1996; (4) the closings and terminations will not reduce the ARS budget, since these cost savings will be redirected to higher priority research within ARS; and (5) ARS will incur almost $14 million in one-time costs to close the facilities and terminate the research programs.