The Teagasc authority has approved the appointment of John Spink as the new head of Teagasc's Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme (CELUP). The decision was made at its June meeting. Formerly of ADAS, the research and rural consultancy agency in the UK, Spink takes over from Paddy Browne who retired earlier this year.

Spink will lead the national tillage, forestry, horticulture and environmental, research and knowledge transfer programme.

Spink originally qualified from Leeds University with a degree in agricultural science, starting as a professional crop physiologist. He has worked in Teagasc Oak Park since 2009 and became head of the crops research department in 2010.

Following his appointment, he said he aims to “improve the competitiveness of our sectors as well as underpin the sustainability of the agricultural industry as a whole”.

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