Canberra, Australia
August 15, 2007
A new website launched today will
allow Australia’s rice industry to showcase its success stories
and counter any misinformation the general community has about
its environmental credentials.
In launching the AboutRice
website, Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said it
was essential Australia’s rice industry dispelled any
ill-informed views the general community had about rice
production.
“Australia’s rice growers are world leaders in efficient water
use and high quality production,” Mr McGauran said.
“The AboutRice website, developed by the Ricegrowers’
Association of Australia, will promote the vital role
Australia’s rice industry plays – an industry that produces
enough rice to provide almost 40 million people with a meal
every day of the year.”
Mr McGauran said that the website would display the latest facts
and information about the rice industry with a focus on its
leadership in the areas of sustainable production and water
efficiency.
“For instance, over the past 10 years, the rice industry has
improved its water efficiency by 44 per cent and now uses 50 per
cent less water than the world average,” Mr McGauran said.
Mr McGauran said a major part of the industry’s progress towards
more sustainable production had been its Environmental Champions
programme, which encompasses industry best practice, innovation
and biodiversity issues.
A quarter of the industry's rice-based farm businesses are now
voluntarily involved in the programme.
“Australia’s rice industry is to be congratulated for its
leadership in sustainable production and its resilience during
what have been extremely tough times brought about by the
prolonged drought,” Mr McGauran said.
The AboutRice website displays information for the general
community, as well as for schools, about the production of rice
in Australia.
Resources on the website include information sheets, galleries
and a teaching unit that has direct links to the curriculum of
each State and Territory.
The website can be located on the internet at
www.aboutrice.com.au
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