Biotechnology Key To Agriculture Future

CANBERRA - Mar 7/02 - STAT -- Delegates attending this year's outlook conference here were told biotechnology frees researchers involved in agriculture to think outside the box and tackle problems head on.

Benitec Australia Director, Ken Reed, said, "How we solve the problems of what we really need and what we want to achieve will determine not only the future of agriculture but the limits on sustainable population density and use of our biodiversity."

Executive Director of the National Association for Crop Production and Animal Health, Claude Gauchat told delegates in the biotechnology session that Australia now has a timely opportunity to design a cost effective supply chain management system for genetically modified products that will enable consumers to make informed choices about products. The industry-initiated Gene Technology Grains Committee, which brings together all partners of the grain supply chain, will use the guidelines to produce a Code of Practice.

"This will ultimately give consumers information about farm production methods and ensure food safety and integrity up and down the supply chain," he said.

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