[Trusties] Senator tells conference Aussies support Ag Biotech

[Lani Summers]

----- Original Message ----- From: Deb To: permacultue discussion list Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:45 AMSubject: Senator tells conference Aussies support Ag Biotech
              Hi       All             Our Federal       Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research seems to believe       that most Australian’s support biotechnology in Agriculture! (see media       release below).  If you would like to drop him a line to better       inform him, here is his email address minister at innovation.gov.au.        You could remind him that Tasmania,       Western Australia and South Australia       extended their moratoria on GM crops and that there are strong anti-GM       campaigns presently running in NSW and       Victoria.      Regards      Pola Lekstan      SA Genetic Foods Information       Network             Media       Release      
Senator the Hon Kim Carr

17 Jun       2008
AUSTRALIA SHOWS LEADERSHIP IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Australia has clearly established itself as a world leader in agricultural biotechnology, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said today.
Senator Carr was speaking at the major international biotechnology conference, BIO 2008, in San Diego while launching a new publication, Agricultural Biotechnology Developments.
'Australia is especially strong in the area of agricultural biotechnology.  With the lifting of the moratoria in two of the country's major states, Victoria and New South Wales, the international investment community should know the farm gates are now open,' Senator Carr said.
The Minister said Australia's leadership in this exciting field of biotechnology is underpinned by a strong regulatory regime which includes a careful assessment to ensure GM crops are safe to human health and the environment.
Senator Carr said the report on Agricultural Biotechnology Developments produced by the Australian Government acknowledges that most Australians strongly supported the use of gene technology and biotechnology in agriculture when such use had benefits for our health and the environment.
The report details the breadth of agricultural areas that biotechnology is being used in, including managing pests and disease, bioremediation, livestock production, pharmaceuticals and improved water management.
He said the Government saw biotechnology playing an important role in helping to deal with emerging challenges, including those arising from climate change and pressure on global food supplies, and the management of pests and diseases, as well as benefiting the environment through reduced chemical use and benefiting consumers through development of products with enhanced health benefits. 
'This publication highlights our agricultural sector but I hasten to add that Australia is recognised worldwide for its state-of-the-art research and application of biotechnology in such diverse sectors as medicine, industry, manufacturing and resources,' Senator Carr said.
The full report is available at www.biotechnology.gov.au 
Media contact:  Catriona Jackson, Minister's Office, 0417 142 238
 Susan Fitzpatrick, Dateline Media USA, 650 279 7771
  
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http://www.livelife.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=343869
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