The cowboys are leaving, along with the last research scientist.
But officials with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) say the century-old federal government institution in Kamloops is here to stay and is gradually being repopulated in a revamped office staffed with biologists and engineers.
Two federal officials interviewed Tuesday in Kamloops confirmed the final scientist at the research station is being transferred to Lethbridge. It s not fair for him, his career or others to have a one-scientist operation, said Barry Grace, a PhD scientist and science director for the B.C. region of AAFC.
The research station on Ord Road is in the midst of a transition that will see it form partnerships with local industry, Thompson Rivers University and the Ministry of Forests. It will no longer conduct long-term research and will instead move to project-based studies and partnerships.