New reference guide to agbiotech launched in Canberra

The Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) today launched ‘The Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops’ to provide factual information about genetically modified crops based on scientific evidence and to provide a useful reference.

ABCA Chairman Ken Matthews AO said: “Although the potential importance of agricultural biotechnology is widely recognised, public discussion and debate has not always been based on clear, factual and accessible information. It is vital for our future that decisions on agricultural biotechnology be based on credible, science-based information.”

With a rapidly growing world population (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations forecasts 9.1 billion people by 2050), a changing climate and intensifying global environmental problems, agricultural biotechnology is increasingly seen as a potential solution to some of the biggest world challenges.

Australia exports $30.5 billion of food products annually and produces enough to feed the country at least twice over, while food creation is the biggest employer in rural and regional communities.

However, the guide points out that Australia’s food production system isn’t just about high yield agriculture and exports: it is also about ensuring our agricultural practices are sustainable; our management of pests and diseases is responsible; and that our environment is conserved by finding new ways to use less land, less energy and less water.

“Innovation and productivity have long underpinned Australia’s agricultural competitiveness. It is because of our sustained investment in research and development that our agricultural sector is the global leader it is. And it is our farmers’ commitment to continuous improvement based on R&D that will secure Australia’s agricultural future,” said Matthews.

The new guide was launched at the ‘Science Meets Parliament’ meeting held today in Canberra at Parliament House.