Three successful multimillion-dollar agricultural research programs were axed Thursday by the Gillard government. The Beef Genetics, Cotton Catchment Communities and Forestry Cooperative Research Centres have all had their bids for funding denied.

The Australian Forest Products Association deplores the government’s recent decision when the industry is at a crossroads. AFPA Chief Executive Officer David Pollard said the work of the CRC for Forestry was crucial given the current debate around the future makeup of the industry and climate change.

“The Australian forest industry has faced a challenging period as the debate over the future supply of wood from native forests and plantations is carried out,” he said.

“The decision not to support the CRC is equivalent to losing 50 full-time positions and will affect around 40 research partners, companies and universities. This represents a real threat to forest research capacity. Once it is lost, it is very hard to recoup."

Beef Genetics chief executive Heather Burrow warned the government's move not to support its $20 million bid would affect 250 science jobs and set Australia's beef industry back 20 years.

''Unless we can act quickly to develop a plan B, we will see our highly skilled genetics and bioinformatics staff snaffled by international research organisations and other industries. There is a world shortage of these skills and Australia will lose some very talented scientists to other countries,'' Burrow said.