The Public Service Association believes job cuts at Crown Research Institute AgResearch go against the interests of New Zealand.

Yesterday AgResearch announced it's consulting with staff about a proposal to reduce scientist and technician roles as net science revenue is forecast to be $5.3 million less for the 2016 financial year.

In total, it’ll be getting rid of 83 roles, and establishing 27 new ones in the restructure.

National secretary of the Public Service Association Erin Polaszuk said the sector can't afford to lose 56 people, if we're going to continue being world-leading in agricultural development.

Polaszuk has described the jobs as being “highly skilled” and in areas of “research that support some of New Zealand’s strongest exports”.

“We should be backing [the agriculture industry] up by sufficiently funding the science and research that goes into making that the best industry in the country,” she said.