23 February 2009
DAFF09/203B
The Rudd Government has delivered on another election commitment with the appointment of an expert group to help maximise the benefit of research and development to rural Australia.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today announced the membership of the new Rural Research and Development Council.
The council will be the key strategic advisory body on rural research and development, to help ensure research investment is effective and coordinated.
The council, which met for the first time last week, is chaired by science policy and plant physiology expert Dr Kate Fairley-Grenot.
Other council members will be:
- Professor Rob Clark AM
- Cathy McGowan AO
- Mark McHenry
- Professor Jim Pratley
- Dr Robert Rose
- Chief Scientist Professor Penny Sackett
- Dr Frances Shapter
- Anne St?nzner
- Professor Beth Woods OAM
Mr Burke said the council will look for opportunities to improve productivity and environmental outcomes right along the value chain, from the paddock to the plate.
“The Rudd Government will continue investing in research and development to make sure we can adapt to the challenges of climate change while still increasing productivity,” Mr Burke said.
“These include climate change, water shortages, biosecurity threats and trade access.
“For example, we have already tripled the funding available through the Climate Change Research Program and will continue to invest in projects looking at biochar, carbon sequestration and soil management.
“Importantly, we are committed to making sure research is applied on-farm to benefits producers, rather than sitting in a laboratory.”
Biographies of council members are available at http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/innovation/council