Dr Alan Bell says that although clearly dismayed by the news, nearly all of the affected scientists have indicated they want to continue working with the CSIRO.

"CSIRO and particularly Livestock Industries remains comitted to the northern industry and badly wants to increase in work in support of that industry and sees real opportunities but this is a bit of a hiccup that's for sure," Dr Bell said.

The laboratory is being closed due to a $63 million cut over the next four years to the CSIRO's finances as a result of last week's Federal Budget.

And while the sudden announcement caught everyone by surprise, the situation at the JM Rendel Laboratory will remain stable for some time yet.

Under internal CSIRO rules, staff must be given at least 12 months notice of any such changes, with Dr Bell saying the clock will not start ticking until July 1 at the earliest.

Dr Bell also reiterated that CSIRO would honour its existing research contracts with other organisations.

Scientists will be asked to relocate to either the Brisbane or Townsville laboratories, depending on their field of work.

CSIRO's presence at the Belmont Research farm just north of Rockhampton - where much of the field research is conducted - will be maintained and possibly increased.

After that the 32-hectare 10-building Rendel site, which was subject to a $3 million upgrade in recent years, will be stripped of all valuable scientific equipment and placed on the market.