Focus Area: Biotechnology

• Ensuring environmental health through pesticides

  May 25, 2021 11:34 am Comments Off on Ensuring environmental health through pesticides

  Protecting the Australian environment is a battle for environmental land managers. The Australian environment is constantly under attack from invasive weeds and other pests.

  Like farmers, Australia’s environmental land managers, such as the parks and wildlife services, rely on the use of pesticides to effectively defend and protect our natural environment from threats.

  Invasive weeds and other pests can have major negative impacts on Australia’s natural environments as they can damage the diversity and balance of ecosystems.

  These changes threaten the survival of many native plants and animals because weeds compete for space, moisture, nutrients and sunlight.

  Endangered species face numerous threats, including development, pollution and climate change. The greatest threat they face is from established invasive species. Pesticides are crucial tools employed by environmental land managers in protecting Australia’s endangered species.

  The plant science industry provides Australia’s land managers with the innovative tools that are crucial to controlling invasive weeds and pests throughout Australia’s national parks, in public parks, golf courses, gardens and to control weeds alongside roads, buildings, pathways and other public infrastructure.

  In a great example of environmental conservation targeted weed control, the ACT Parks and Conservation Service has used the tools of the plant science industry to successfully control the spread of blackberries in the wet sclerophyll forests of the northern area of the Namadgi National Park.

  While we all love blackberries in fruit salad, in the pristine environments of national parks the blackberry bush can spread rapidly if not controlled, destroying the native flora and compromising the natural ecosystem.

  Without the use of a range of specialised pesticides and the hard work of park rangers, spray contractors and other environmental land managers, ecosystems such as those in Namadgi National Park would succumb to the significant threat of invasive species.

• NSW to ensure its farmers maintain and improve access to future GM Crop innovations

  March 2, 2021 8:05 am Comments Off on NSW to ensure its farmers maintain and improve access to future GM Crop innovations

  Farmers in New South Wales will be assured of access to approved genetically modified crop innovations with the NSW Government announcement today it will not be seeking to continue a moratorium due to expire 1 July 2021. This will bring NSW into line with all other mainland states and with Australia’s major agricultural competitors, ensuring that the state’s farmers are not disadvantaged in the coming decades.

  Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, welcomed the news saying, “Farmers in New South Wales have benefited from the advantages of growing GM cotton and GM canola since 1996 and 2008 respectively, helping them adopt more environmentally sustainable and profitable farming practices, but this has only been done through specific exemptions to date.

  “This move is a strong sign that the Berejiklian Government is committed to supporting farmers and having scientific based policy and regulation. Minister Marshall should be commended for recognising that the GM crop moratorium is outdated and a limit to farming innovation.

  “Giving farmers access to all new innovations approved by the Federal Regulator allows them to make their own choice to grow what best fits their needs and business model. This is crucial, especially as they continue to face periods of drought and increasingly harsher conditions in a changing climate.

  “NSW has been a leader in agricultural biotechnology. The expiration of the moratorium is the next step to ensuring NSW remains a leader in farming innovation. This decision aligns NSW with all other mainland states in Australia and gives farmers access to all GM crops that have been approved under the strictest of assessments for commercial cultivation by the independent federal agency, The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

  “The data is clear and universally supported, approved GM crops are as safe for human health as traditional plant breeding and provide major environmental and productivity benefits. The positive impact of GM crops on the environment and on farming practices has been clearly demonstrated with GM crops increasing food production, saving millions of hectares from ploughing and cultivation and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 27 million tonnes per annum.

  “The agricultural sector in NSW is highly trained and experienced in managing the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops and all farming systems have only improved and grown during the time GM crops have been commercially cultivated in the state. All the processes for accreditation, licensing or stewardship are already in place. The NSW Farmers’ Association supports the use of approved biotechnology to progress agricultural production and allow for choice for all farmers.

  “The moratorium expiring will encourage stronger research and innovation and ensure easier access to current and future GM crops approved for commercialisation.

  “This announcement should be welcomed by all parties committed to science-based policy and I expect they would only commend Minister Marshall on this important step for NSW farming.”

• 2021-22 Pre-budget submission

  January 28, 2021 3:13 pm Comments Off on 2021-22 Pre-budget submission

• Promoting science and evidence-based decision-making in the gene technology debate

  December 8, 2020 9:47 am Comments Off on Promoting science and evidence-based decision-making in the gene technology debate

  The Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) recently launched the fourth edition of its Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops.

  “In an increasingly alarming world of fake news, alternative facts, disinformation, disdain for experts, opinions trumping evidence, and blindly partisan position-taking, we need more reliable, accessible and factual inputs to public debate on matters of science,” Chairman of ABCA, Ken Matthews AO, said.

  Mr Matthews continued, “The world’s population is growing quickly and is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Food production will need to double to feed the world. Finding double the area of land for global crop production is simply not realistic, doubling inputs is not feasible and finding double the amount of water is impossible.

  “Global agriculture needs to innovate; not simply duplicate and agricultural biotechnology is increasingly recognised as a critical part of the solution.”

  Also speaking at the launch were Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia and Dr Caitlin Byrt, Research Group Leader with the Australian National University.

  The Guide was developed in conjunction with an expert national scientific panel and world leading specialists in the field. It provides credible, balanced, science-based information on agricultural biotechnology to allow for informed decisions about the application, uses and future of agricultural biotechnology in Australia, and a better understanding of its benefits and safety.

  Now in its fourth edition, it has evolved to include the latest technology developments in agricultural biotechnology with a focus on the role gene-editing will play in agriculture and beyond.

  The guide also follows the evolution of consumer attitudes, in Australia and globally, and gives voices to farmers who are the experts at growing what feeds our nation.

  Mr Matthews highlighted the importance of the Australian agricultural sector and the need to change the way some people view agriculture. Mr Matthews said that, too often, agriculture is viewed as yesterday’s industry, or worse – a legacy industry imposing environmental costs on a fragile Australian landscape.

  “That’s not the agriculture I know and care about. More and more Australian farms are capital intensive, R&D driven, environmentally conscious, nimble, technologically advanced, and entrepreneurial.

  “This is the agriculture industry that exists and must be promoted. Just as people concerned about climate change urge us to listen to the science, so too should the science and evidence be front and centre in the gene technology debate.”

• All of mainland Australia can now grow genetically modified crops

  9:38 am Comments Off on All of mainland Australia can now grow genetically modified crops

  South Australian growers can now join their mainland and global competitors in having access to genetically modified (GM) crops from next season.

  The news comes after Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Hon David Basham MP, declared that all of mainland South Australia’s farmers would be allowed to commercially cultivate the environmentally conscious crops.

  This decision, which ends a thorough and open consultation process, is a win for farmers, for science and for a more productive, environmentally sustainable and profitable future for South Australian farming. The ultimate winners will be all South Australians, with the same economic benefits of GM crops experienced in other Australian states, to now flow through SA.

  In line with the legislation, South Australian councils had six months to apply to remain GM-cultivation free if they could prove a trade or marketing advantage for doing so. The small number of councils who did apply did so on false premises, rather than on evidence, science and data.

  What has been found is the GM status of a region does not impact on the trade and marketing of any other product or produce, including South Australia’s world-renowned wine industry. It’s the high-quality of South Australian produce and farming practices that afford them any premium prices they receive.

  Coexistence between GM, non-GM and organic farms has been demonstrated for at least a decade in all other mainland Australian states and for several decades in many other countries.

  GM crops have been enabling farmers in other states and around the world to improve yields, reduce carbon
  emissions, use natural resources and pesticides more sustainably and protect the soil through no-till farming for decades.

  For over 20 years, approved genetically modified crops being grown around the world have resulted in 183 million hectares of land being saved from full tillage cropping. This has led to improved water storage, a significant reduction in soil erosion and native forests being saved from becoming agricultural production land. GM crops are responsible for savings in CO2 emissions of 27 billion kg – the equivalent of removing 90 per cent of passenger cars registered in Australia from the road for one year.

  With South Australia embracing this agricultural technology from next season, we will see significant environmental and agronomic benefits, allowing the farming sector in SA and nationally to continue to thrive.

• Global report shows GM crops continue to have a positive impact

  December 1, 2020 12:49 pm Comments Off on Global report shows GM crops continue to have a positive impact

  The latest independent report published by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) shows that agricultural biotechnology is continuing to have significant benefits for farmers, communities, consumers, economies and the environment.

  Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, said, “The 55th ISAAA report confirms why it’s so important that Australian farmers are able to choose innovative, safe and approved technologies like GM crops. This choice allows them to remain globally competitive, meet the requirements of increased food demand and farm sustainably in a changing and challenging climate.

  “Modern farming using biotechnology innovations is playing an increasingly crucial role in food, feed and fibre production in Australia and around the world. This report highlights the need for responsive, science-based regulation so that Australia isn’t held back from reaping the benefits and continuing its position as a world leader in agricultural innovation.”

  The ISAAA report marks twenty-four years of successful commercial GM crop cultivation. In 2019, 190.4 million hectares of GM crops were grown globally. Seventy-one countries now utilise biotech crops with 29 nations, including 24 developing and five industrial countries, growing GM crops. An additional 42 non-planting countries formally regulate the importation and use of biotech crops for food, feed and processing.

  GM crops on offer have expanded beyond the “big four” (corn, soybean, cotton and canola), and now include lucerne, sugar beets, sugarcane, papaya, safflower, eggplant, squash, apples and pineapple, offering more choice to food producers and consumers.

  Mr Cossey continued, “Since 1996 GM crops have improved the sustainable use of pesticides and conserved biodiversity by saving more than 231 million hectares of land from agricultural production. They have alleviated poverty for 17 million small hold farmers and their families and reduced CO2 emissions from agriculture in 2018 by 23 billion kg.

  “When farmers are given access to choose GM crops, they can grow more on less land, increase crop yields, contribute to international competitiveness and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact.

  “There’s no question that GM crops have a positive impact on sustainability and productivity. South Australia recently became the last mainland Australian state to embrace this agricultural technology, which means we will see even more environmental and agronomic benefits across Australia, allowing our farming sector to continue to thrive,” Mr Cossey concluded.

• Great leap forward in innovation and choice for South Australian Farmers

  November 2, 2020 4:36 pm Comments Off on Great leap forward in innovation and choice for South Australian Farmers

  South Australian growers will have access to GM crops from next season after Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham declared that all of mainland South Australia’s farmers would be allowed to commercially cultivate the crops.

  Chief Executive Officer of the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “This decision is a win for farmers, for science and for a more productive, environmentally sustainable and profitable future for South Australian farming. This decision ends a thorough and open consultation process in which all issues were comprehensively examined.

  “The ultimate winners will be all South Australians, with the same economic benefits experienced in other Australian states to now flow through SA.

  “The small number of councils who applied to remain GM-cultivation free areas did so on false premises, rather than on evidence, science and data.

  “What has been found is what we’ve known all along, the GM status of a region does not impact on the trade and marketing of any other product or produce, including South Australia’s world-renowned wine industry. Rather, it’s the high-quality of South Australian produce and farming practices that afford them any premium prices they receive.

  “Coexistence between GM, non-GM and organic farms is possible, as has been demonstrated for at least a decade in all other mainland Australian states and for several decades in many other countries.

  “Farmers are being challenged like never before to deliver higher yields with less resources, produce more nutritious foods and improve existing agricultural methods and practices. All this while facing unprecedented droughts, floods and bushfires. Giving South Australia’s farmers access to all the tools they need to produce our food, feed and fibre is an important step in assisting to meet these challenges.

  “The South Australian Government and the Opposition have provided the bipartisan platform to allow South Australian growers access to an important tool in environmental sustainability with GM crops.

  “Minister Basham, Premier Marshall and the SA Government must be congratulated for seeing this process through and remaining committed to farming and science throughout.

  “Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas is also to be congratulated for modernising the South Australian Labor Party’s position on GM crops to be aligned with science and support technologies that enable more environmentally sustainable farming.

  “GM crops have been enabling farmers in other states and around the world to improve yields, reduce carbon emissions, use natural resources and pesticides more sustainably and protect the soil through no-till farming for decades.

  “For over 20 years, approved genetically modified crops have been grown in Australia and around the world, resulting in 183 million hectares of land being saved from full tillage cropping. This has led to improved water storage, a significant reduction in soil erosion and native forests being saved from becoming agricultural production land. GM crops are responsible for savings in CO₂ emissions of 27 billion kg – the equivalent of removing 90 per cent of passenger cars registered in Australia from the road for one year.

  “With South Australia embracing this agricultural technology from next season, we will see significant environmental and agronomic benefits, allowing the farming sector in SA and nationally to continue to thrive.

  “This truly is a win for modern, sustainable farming. South Australia’s growers now have the same opportunity to access these important and beneficial innovations as their other mainland state and international competitors.”

• GM crops needed as we face the challenge of food security

  September 29, 2020 3:46 pm Comments Off on GM crops needed as we face the challenge of food security

  In his address today at the launch of the fourth edition of The Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops (the Guide) at the National Press Club in Canberra, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, Matthew Cossey, declared that Agriculture is moving beyond just improving food security to underpinning our ability globally to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  “A new generation of farmers, environmentalists and policy makers will help shape how agriculture will intersect with not just climate change, biodiversity and livelihoods, but also social rights including how agriculture can improve equity in the developing world.

  “Farmers are being challenged like never before to deliver higher yields with less resources, produce more nutritious foods and improve existing agricultural methods and practices. All this while facing unprecedented droughts, floods and bushfires. Not to mention a global pandemic… our system still needs to evolve to support innovation and to give farmers access to all the tools they need to produce our food, feed and fibre. Otherwise, Australia will fall behind, and we will miss out on crucial developments.” Said Mr Cossey.

  Also speaking today were Ken Matthews AO, Chairman of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia and Dr Caitlin Byrt, a Research Group Leader with ANU.

  Mr Cossey continued, “Food in the developed world is safer now than at any time in human history, yet consumers are still easily led astray by activists’ narrow and self-serving agendas. This, in turn, poses the risk of politicians responding to that ignorance to the detriment of not just farming, but the community at large, because, of course we all need to eat.

  “The challenge here is, how do we ensure that the Australian community recognise that the nation’s farmers are world’s best practice growers and producers and to remain so they need to have access to new safe ag innovations such as GM and gene edited crops.

  “It is the responsibility and indeed obligation of all of us in the sector to fill this gap between the science and the public discourse and, most importantly, the science and the policy… We need to help consumers make their own choices, based on facts and not fear or on a romanticised vision of agriculture.

  “For science to prevail, the world needs to be informed regarding the real challenges we face to feed a growing global population.”

  Mr Cossey concluded, “The Australian Biotechnology Council of Australia, its expert panel and its specialist advisers should be congratulated and commended for this latest and updated edition of The Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops.”

  Visit abca.com.au to download The Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops

• Regulating game-changing technology: How are gene-edited crops regulated around the world?

  August 24, 2020 1:57 pm Comments Off on Regulating game-changing technology: How are gene-edited crops regulated around the world?

  Legislation and regulation of genome-edited crops is evolving rapidly across the globe to adapt to and keep pace with the new technology.

  Genome-editing is a revolution for plant science, agriculture and innovation. The ability to easily and quickly produce plants with precise, targeted changes is a game-changer for the entire agricultural sector.

  A recent report* compares the way countries have adapted their biosafety legislation to this emerging tool. The Southern Hemisphere, with the exception of New Zealand, has taken a science-led and future-facing approach. Argentina was the first country in 2015 to declare that genome-edited crops would not be regulated if they do not contain foreign DNA. This was followed by Chile, Brazil and Columbia.

  In Australia, genome-editing applications that do not use a DNA template to guide the repair are now excluded from regulation, a first step towards futureproofing our regulations.

  In contrast in Europe, the EU Court of Justice declared in 2018 that all genome-edited organisms are genetically modified and must continue to be regulated as such.

  This decision has had a profoundly negative impact on researchers and farmers, locking them out of technological advances. In response, several agricultural companies have moved their breeding programs out of Europe. Governments such as Switzerland, Norway and the UK are considering new laws to ease approval for genome-edited products.

  The development of new policies for genome-editing crops is an important and encouraging step for innovation and the plant science sector. Evidence-based regulatory systems will lead to the development of a wider range of products and benefits for global agriculture.

  *Schmidt, S. M., Belisle, M. and Frommer W. B. (2020). The evolving landscape around genome editing in agriculture. EMBO Reports.

   

  Read the full CropLinks edition.

• Science or science fiction? Perceptions of genome-editing on social media

  1:39 pm Comments Off on Science or science fiction? Perceptions of genome-editing on social media

  Love it or hate it, social media plays an important role in the way people learn about and view technology and innovation. A recent study* sheds light upon how agricultural and environmental genome-editing is perceived and discussed by social media users.

  The authors focussed on Facebook comments on news articles related to genome-editing published across 11 news outlets. Interestingly, most commenters were not interested in the shown science or debating facts. Rather, three main groups emerged. Those that used science as a tool to shame others, those that disregarded the science based on their personal beliefs, and those that interpreted science through a sometimes-humoristic science fiction lens. These distinct groups essentially speak different languages about the same issue.

  The findings show that using only scientific arguments while communicating about genome-editing may only speak to users who already see the topic through a scientific lens. Those who process the topic through conceptions of nature or beliefs may be put off if shamed for their perceived unscientific views. The authors describe being aware of a scientific elitism in debates as a key lesson for productive discussions.

  References to humour and science fiction, the study suggests, might be a way for people who are ambivalent to cope with the topic. Therefore, communication about genome-editing should avoid scientific media hype not to feed into perceptions of biotechnology as a funny, science fiction-related, fantastical topic.

  *Brittany Walker & Jennifer Malson (2020): Science, God and Nature: A Textual and Frequency Analysis of Facebook Comments on News Articles About Agricultural and Environmental Gene Editing. Environmental Communications.

   

  Read the full CropLinks edition.