Canberra, Australia
April 28, 2006
Australians will soon have a much clearer understanding of the
importance of biotechnology to our agriculture sector, and the
role genetically modified (GM) crops could play in the future.
The Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said the Australian
Government would provide over $850,000 for eight major
biotechnology studies by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, the
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the
private sector.
“They will also examine some of
the more contentious issues, such as the introduction of GM
canola,” he said.
The eight studies will cover:
- the value of biotechnology
for insect pest and weed control in the cropping sector,
including experiences with GM cotton;
- the potential for GM crops
to serve as factories for pharmaceutical and industrial
compounds, including a review of recent developments
world-wide;
- examining the implications
of using gene technology in the oilseeds industry;
- developing an overview of
the value of using biotechnology tools (excluding those GM
organisms that are final products) in Australia’s primary
industries;
- developing an up-to-date
information package on GM canola that covers the particular
concerns of government, industry and the wider community;
- reviewing international
market access for GM canola, including regulatory
arrangements in countries important to the world canola
trade;
- a pathway to market for GM
canola, including identifying the measures needed to address
concerns about its commercial introduction; and
- the economic impact on the
organic farming industry of introducing GM crops into
Australia, including the treatment of GM organisms in
organic certification systems.
Mr McGauran said that Australia
cannot afford to ignore biotechnology.
“To be competitive, our farmers
need to be able to access the latest technology,” he said.
“And the Australian Government
will continue to do all it can to enable farmers to have the
choice about whether or not to make use of biotechnology.”
Today’s $851,890 funding boost
comes from the $3.8 million Biotechnology Strategy for
Agriculture, Food and Fibre, part of the Government’s National
Biotechnology Strategy.
Reports from the studies will
be made publicly available, either later in the year or early
next year. |
