The Federal Government must take a long term view on funding for Cooperative Research Centres according to the Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams.

Senator Williams said he is disappointed to hear that funding may be cut for the 42 CRC across the nation and says such action would be a neglect of future research and industry development.

He said the current annual cost to Government is $180 million, but it is worth much more to the institutions as it is matched by industry.

"The Rudd/Gillard governments have woefully neglected CRC with a regional focus. They have not developed their promised replacement for the Weed Management CRC and have drained many millions of dollars from the successful CRC program.

I have seen first-hand the work of the Poultry CRC at the University of New England. It has delivered 28 rapid diagnostic tests to industry, obtained proof of concept for seven vaccines, lodged seven patents, trained 26 postgraduate scientists and 8 poultry health specialists.

Much of this will be lost if funds are taken away.

These are successful programs that have proven invaluable for industry and delivered improved educational and health outcomes throughout Australia for two decades. But instead of funding vital research on cotton, water, feral animals, forestry and beef, Labor comes up with comical policies like Cash for Clunkers which has disappeared without trace.

$180 million is a paltry amount in the Budget, but vital for the poultry and other CRC", Senator Williams said.