Canberra, Australia
December 16, 2008
Biotechnology can help Australian
farmers to remain viable despite the effects of a changing
climate.
Karen Schneider, Executive Director of the
Bureau of Rural Sciences
(BRS), today released the report "Australia’s
crops and pastures in a changing climate: can biotechnology
help?"
“There are a number of plant traits likely to be important for
adapting to climate change, including heat tolerance, water and
nitrogen use efficiency, and pest and disease resistance,” Ms
Schneider said.
“Biotechnology techniques, such as genetic modification (GM),
are increasingly playing an important role in the development of
new crop and pasture varieties with these traits.
“The adoption of GM insect-resistant cotton has proven very
effective in controlling insect pests.
“This technology will become increasingly important when
addressing altered pest distributions expected under climate
change,” Ms Schneider said.
Biotechnology can also assist in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions generated by agriculture.
“GM insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops grown by
Australian farmers already help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from cropping by reducing the fuel use associated with pesticide
applications and encouraging no-till or conservation tillage
practices.
“New varieties developed using biotechnology may help to reduce
methane and nitrous oxide emissions. For example, nitrogen-use
efficient crops could lead to reductions in the use of
nitrogenous fertiliser,” said Ms Schneider.
Biotechnology can also indirectly mitigate greenhouse gas
emissions by facilitating the adoption of farm management
practices that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase
carbon sequestration activities.
In Australia, GM organisms are regulated by the Office of the
Gene Technology Regulator, and are assessed for risks to human
health and safety and the environment.
For further information, visit
www.brs.gov.au.
Download "Australia’s crops and pastures in a changing climate:
can biotechnology help?"
http://affashop.gov.au/PdfFiles/final_for_printing_ccandbiotech_041208.pdf
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