World Population Day on Saturday 11 July is the time to recognise the enormous task of feeding the world’s rapidly growing population. Using modern innovations and technologies, Australian farmers are well positioned to significantly contribute to meeting the challenges of global food security.
“With Australia’s population increasing by approximately 1,060 people every day and the UN predicting a global population of nearly 10 billion by 2050, farmers around the world face the tremendous challenge of increasing food production by 70% over thirty years while decreasing their environmental footprint and using limited arable land,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia.
“CropLife International’s recently released 2015 Plant Biotechnology Product Pipeline showcases new innovations in agricultural biotechnology in development for different crops that could assist Australian farmers to face these challenges”
“The theme of this year’s World Population Day ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’ highlights the role of agricultural innovation assisting farmers to provide high-quality food, feed and fibre for these populations and the world.”
“For rice-dependent populations in developing countries, the availability of Golden Rice, which is currently in the pipeline, could provide sufficient vitamin A to substantially reduce the 6,000 deaths caused every day by vitamin A deficiency. Golden Rice can be grown and harvested under difficult climatic conditions. Not only could it give families an ongoing source of nutritious food; it could also generate a new source of income.”
“The Pipeline also includes new herbicide tolerant and insect resistant varieties of cotton which could offer additional options to Australian cotton farmers who already primarily use GM cotton. The adoption of GM cotton in Australia has delivered economic advantages from improved yields and reduced input costs as well as environmental benefits including improving the sustainable use of crop protection products.“
“Australian farmers already recognise the economic, agronomic and environmental benefits GM crops provide and will plant more than 436,000 hectares of GM canola in 2015; up from 350,000 in 2014. Farmers could one day have the choice to grow canola with improved nutritional traits for consumers, or increased protein and higher nutrient density for feed.”
“A study by the International Food Policy Research Institute profiled 11 different agricultural innovations including crop protection, drip irrigation, heat tolerance, drought tolerance and no-till farming, and found that agricultural technologies could increase global crop yields as much as 67 percent and cut food prices nearly in half by 2050.”
“Alarmingly, 20-40% of the world’s food production is lost to pests, weeds and diseases. This number would double without effective crop protection products. In particular, it is estimated that yields of most fruit and vegetables, which are integral to a healthy diet, would fall by 50-95% without the use of fungicides to protect from disease.”
“Using a variety of innovative agricultural tools is the only way to achieve sufficient and sustainable crop production for our growing population. It is crucial that Australian farmers continue to have access to plant science innovations to provide them with additional tools for the many challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Friday 5 June 2015 – World Environment Day provides an important opportunity to recognise the agricultural innovations that support Australian farmers to produce high quality food, feed and fibre for the world more sustainably.
“The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care’ which highlights the need for responsible management of the planet’s resources,” said CropLife Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Cossey, “and it is a timely reminder of our nation’s farmers who, as the stewards of our arable land, practice sustainable agriculture assisted by modern crop protection products and genetically modified (GM) crops.”
“Australian farmers are using the latest technologies and innovations to sustainably adapt to modern challenges of feeding a rapidly growing world population of 9.6 billion by 2050 on limited arable land with changing climate patterns.”
“Australian cotton farmers began using crop biotechnology in 1996 and today almost the entire national cotton crop is based on herbicide tolerant and insect resistant varieties. The use of GM cotton, along with improved on farm management practices, has made a significant contribution to the sustainable use of insecticides applied to Australian cotton crops,” said Mr Cossey.
“Other benefits of GM cotton are increased populations of beneficial insects and wildlife in cotton fields, a decrease in labour and fuel usage, improved soil quality, reduced production costs, increased yield and further opportunities to grow cotton in areas of high pest infestation.”
“A recent independent report from UK-based PG Economics found that higher yields from GM crops have reduced the need for 18 million hectares of planting to maintain global food production in 2013. Instead, the world’s demands for food have been met while simultaneously protecting the biodiversity of forests and natural habitats.”
“Crop biotechnology innovations have allowed a reduction of the equivalent of 28 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide in emissions from agriculture practices because of innovations allowing reduced fuel usage and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with GM crops.”
“Crop protection products assist water conservation by helping farmers efficiently control weeds that threaten scarce water resources.”
“The plant science industry in Australia has also shown its commitment to safeguarding the environment through world leading industry stewardship programs designed to minimise environmental impacts of the industry. Agsafe, the wholly owned subsidiary of CropLife Australia, runs successful programs such as drumMUSTER, which collects and recycles pesticide containers, and ChemClear®, which safely removes damaged or expired agricultural chemicals from the environment.”
“Australian farmers have throughout history embraced modern agricultural practices because of proven environmental and economic benefits of new technologies. The Australian plant science industry is committed to providing farmers the tools that increase yields, safeguard crops, protect human health and preserve the environment,” Mr Cossey concluded.
About World Environment Day: World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations.
14 October 2014 (Canberra) – The Australian plant science industry warmly welcomes the Federal Government’s Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda released by the Prime Minister and Industry Minister today. Significantly reducing unnecessary regulatory costs is a necessity for Australia’s agricultural industries and is at the core to boosting competitiveness. The Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Industry the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, should be commended and congratulated for this policy.
“Today’s announcement that systems, services or products that have been approved under a trusted international standard or risk assessment should no longer need additional requirements for approval in Australia, is a well-considered and imperative step forward in policy that recognises the realities of the global marketplace for our industry,” Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, Matthew Cossey said.
“It is encouraging that the Federal Government continues to deliver on its promises to streamline Australian regulation and remove unnecessary red tape. The new policy is clearly a step in the right direction. The plant science industry would like to see it applied as soon as possible to the several regulatory authorities that cover the plant science industry.
“Now the pressure is on Government departments, agencies and regulatory authorities to culturally adopt the newly announced policy in their operations. Unnecessary costs and delays have direct impacts on plant science innovation, domestic productivity and international competitiveness. The Department of Agriculture’s current ‘First Principles Review of Cost Recovery at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’ is the perfect opportunity to show a real commitment to reducing significant regulatory costs and not simply different ways to recover those costs from industry.”
“The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is also perfectly positioned to adopt this policy in their business operations, which will see genuine benefits to the plant science industry and our ability to support the Australian farming sector with the latest products.”
A Deloitte Access Economics report released last year shows that 68 per cent of the total value of Australian crop production, or $17.6 billion of Australian agricultural output, can be attributed to the use of crop protection products.
“This confirms that an Australia without modern, approved, safe agricultural chemistry used by farmers in a responsible manner would be an Australia incapable of commercially producing the array of fresh, local produce we take for granted every day. Our grocery bills would be almost twice as expensive and the variety of local food to which we’d have access would be alarmingly narrow,” said Mr Cossey.
“A regulatory system that facilitates innovation in agricultural chemistry will stand Australia in good stead to protect its crops and economy from ever-adapting pests and diseases. It is absolutely vital that Australian farmers have access to the most up-to-date, sustainable agricultural chemical products for the sake of our farmers, our food supply and our economy.”
“Fully implemented, this latest policy will improve Australian regulation markedly and deliver real benefits to the Australian farming sector as a result. It represents a modern, mature policy approach that is in step with the realities of the global marketplace. The Australian public and farmers will win equally under this new approach if successfully and genuinely implemented,” concluded Mr Cossey.
Contact: Jaelle Bajada (Manager – Public Affairs) Ph: 02 6230 6399 Mob: 0410 491 261
Wednesday 7 May 2014 (Canberra) – Significant economic and environmental benefits, and unparalleled improvement in farmer income have been realised from the widespread adoption of crop biotechnology, according to an international report released by PG Economics.
“Australian GM cotton and canola farmers have realised farm income benefits of more than US $766 million over the 17 year period covered by the report,” said Matthew Cossey, CropLife Australia’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Crop biotechnology has also contributed to significantly reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This results from less fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with GM crops. In 2012, this was equivalent to removing 27 billion kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or equal to removing 11.9 million cars – 69 per cent of the cars registered in Australia – from the road for one year.
“The adoption of GM crops has also significantly reduced the need for the use of chemicals for pest management. Over the period 1996-2012, crop biotechnology has reduced pesticide spraying by 503 million kg (-8.8%).
“Since 1996, the global farm income gain from GM crops has been US $116.6 billion. This is an impressive increase and demonstrates the value of agricultural biotechnology, not just for farmers, but for the global economy as a whole. In total, half of this gain has been by farmers in developing countries. On average, farmers in developed countries received US $3.04 for every dollar invested in GM crop seeds, while farmers in developing countries received US $3.74.
“In 2012, Australian GM canola growers realised an average farm income gain of US $47.5 per hectare and a total farm income gain of US $8.3 million. Australian GM cotton farmers realised a total farm income gain of US $129.2 million in 2012 and used 54% less insecticide in GM cotton than what would have used if only conventional varieties had been planted.
“Even more impressive is the contribution of biotech crops to on-farm productivity. Between 1996 and 2012, crop biotechnology was responsible for an additional 122 million tonnes of soybeans and 231 million tonnes of corn. The technology has also contributed an extra 18.2 million tonnes of cotton lint and 6.6 million tonnes of canola.
“If crop biotechnology had not been available to the 17.3 million farmers using the technology in 2012, maintaining global production at the 2012 levels would have required additional plantings equivalent to 32 per cent of the arable land in Australia. That’s more than 15 million hectares of forest and natural habitat not used for agricultural purposes.
“Given that the United Nations predicts we need to produce 70 per cent more food by 2050 than we do today in order to meet the needs of our growing population, this report gives real, concrete evidence that agricultural biotechnology is a crucial asset for achieving that goal.
“The figures released by PG Economics once again put solid data behind the benefits of GM crops. The facts speak for themselves. It’s crucial that the benefits of this innovation be made available to all farmers across Australia and the rest of the world if we are genuine about meeting the challenges of global food security and farming in a more environmentally sustainable way,” concluded Mr Cossey.
The full report from PG Economics can be downloaded at: www.pgeconomics.co.uk
Contact: Jaelle Bajada (Manager – Public Affairs) Ph: 02 6230 6399 Mob: 0410 491 261
Thursday 1 May 2014 (Canberra) – The proposal in the National Commission of Audit Report released today to merge the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) and place it in the Industry portfolio will do nothing to improve performance and may serve to cloak the real inefficiencies.
“The Australian Government is to be commended for its commitment to improve efficiency and effectiveness of government services and policy advice and we welcome the report from the National Commission of Audit. It’s important however that the solutions target the real problems and structural reform of NICNAS and the APVMA through consolidation will only serve to conceal the administrative and management inefficiencies that exist,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia.
“Under no circumstances should an agricultural industry regulator be placed in the Industry portfolio. The Department of Industry has shown complete inability to drive any level of reform in chemical regulation over the last few years and NICNAS’ operations have been affected by this failure. In contrast, the APVMA is in the midst of a reform that is about delivering more efficient and effective services, which will mean all that work would be undone.
“It is crucial that the core regulator for Australia’s agricultural and farming sector remains in the Agriculture portfolio,” Mr Cossey said. “Moving a new amalgamated body from the Agriculture portfolio to the Industry portfolio poses a threat to the competitiveness of Australia’s agricultural industry as it would further undermine the APVMA’s purpose, which is to regulate the use of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines.”
A 2008 Productivity Commission Research Report on Chemicals and Plastics Regulation assessed the possibility of consolidating chemical assessment regimes including the full amalgamation of NICNAS and the APVMA. It concluded that the disadvantages of consolidation outweighed the benefits and would put into jeopardy some of the APVMA’s world-class risk-management functions.
“CropLife’s view is that NICNAS is not required as a regulatory body as its functions could be easily transferred to more appropriate bodies such as the ACCC and the Department of Health. This is in line with the recommendations of the Productivity Commission Research Report. It seems that the Commission of Audit has failed to recognise these previous recommendations,” said Mr Cossey.
“Chemicals regulators in different industries and sectors have distinct requirements, priorities and skills, but cooperate with the APVMA in the regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. Merging two inefficient regulators does not create one efficient regulator and an amalgamation of NICNAS and the APVMA would create a hybrid regulator with disparate powers, different risk assessment and without a clear purpose.
“It’s important to Australia’s agricultural sector and future competitiveness and productivity that its regulator is able to give priority to agricultural considerations. The APVMA does need to reform its administrative and management functions to improve efficiencies however, amalgamating it with NICNAS and transferring it to the Industry Portfolio will not solve these problems.
“I encourage the government to consider the Productivity Commission Research Report as it still provides the roadmap for the appropriate regulatory reform in the agricultural sector and its recommendations should be implemented before any other reform is undertaken,” said Mr Cossey.
Contact: Jaelle Bajada (Manager – Public Affairs) Ph: 02 6230 6399 Mob: 0410 491 261
Thursday 19 December 2013 (Canberra) – Today’s federal government consultation paper on amendments to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving efficiency in regulation of the agriculture sector, without compromising human health, safety or environmental outcomes.
“Minister Joyce should be commended for acting so swiftly to implement the government’s election commitments in this area,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, today.
“Although we acknowledge that the APVMA is currently carrying out its own regulatory reform process, the government’s amendments to the code will better enable farmers to access the tools they need to farm productively and sustainably. It is absolutely vital that agchem regulation is commensurate with risk as the costs of unnecessary regulation are unfairly borne by farmers and consumers.
“An inefficient regulator is a problem for protecting human health and the environment, as well as for agricultural productivity. The government’s proposed amendments remove a number of unnecessary processes and duplication, which will allow the APVMA to respond more promptly to address areas of actual risk.
“The recently released ABARES Review of Selected Regulatory Burdens on Agriculture and Forestry Businesses confirms the importance of the amendments proposed in the government’s consultation paper today. ABARES has highlighted the need for an efficient regulator and a regulatory framework that does not create unnecessary cost burdens that will stifle innovation.
“It is vital that any regulation in this space facilitates farmers’ access to targeted, safe and effective chemistry. According to a Deloitte Access Economics report released by CropLife Australia last month, 68 per cent of the total value of Australian crop production, or $17.6 billion of Australian agricultural output, can be attributed to the use of crop protection products.
“The agricultural chemical sector creates 9,250 full time equivalent jobs across Australia and makes multiple contributions to the economy in areas including exports, manufacturing and trade.
“It is crucial for the crop protection industry and the farmers, workers and communities it supports that the regulatory system protects human health and the environment without adding unnecessary and untargeted processes. The amendments proposed in today’s consultation paper are a step in the right direction.
“The consultation paper prioritises the protection of human health and the environment, and it is clear that the proposed amendments will serve to enhance the efficiency of processes aimed at protecting workers, communities and the environment,” concluded Mr Cossey.
Contact: Jessica Lee (Manager – Public Affairs) Ph: 02 6230 6399 Mob: 0410 491 261
Tuesday 5 November 2013 (Canberra) – The recently released ABARES Review of Selected Regulatory Burdens on Agriculture and Forestry Businesses has confirmed the importance of the federal government’s commitment to funding a minor use and specialty crops program and highlights the urgency of implementing the program as soon as possible.
“CropLife Australia has been advocating on behalf of the plant science industry for government to address a number of inconsistencies in, and market failures caused by, the regulation of agricultural chemicals and biotech crops. ABARES has confirmed that there are simple, effective ways available to address these inconsistencies, which are damaging Australia’s agricultural productivity,” said Matthew Cossey, CEO of CropLife Australia, today.
“In particular, the ABARES report shows that the minor use and specialty crops program, to which the Coalition government commendably committed $8 million during the recent election campaign, is a vital initiative for improving the productivity, sustainability and diversity of Australian cropping.
“In relation to the registration process for agricultural chemicals, the report highlights the importance of an efficient regulator and a low cost regulatory framework. It further reinforces the importance of the Coalition’s election commitment to unwind the unnecessary red tape in the agchem registration system.
“The government’s current plan to increase the efficiency of the APVMA will better enable farmers to access the tools they need to farm productively and sustainably. It is absolutely vital that agchem regulation is commensurate with risk as the costs of unnecessary regulation are unfairly borne by farmers and consumers.
“The overlaps and inconsistencies between state laws governing the use of agricultural chemicals are also identified in the report as an area of concern. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has been developing a national framework to harmonise control of use laws, but has made little progress over the past five years.
“This report offers some hope for the reinvigoration of COAG’s work towards a nationally harmonised regulatory system for agricultural chemical use, something CropLife has been advocating for over several years now.
“The report has also confirmed that the uncertain path to market for GM crops continues to impose an unnecessary burden on farmers and the plant science industry through inconsistent regulation and lengthy, unscientific decision-making.
“Although it is state moratoria on the use of GM crops causing the uncertainty, the report notes that the federal government could play a coordinating role in negotiating for a shorter, well-defined regulatory path to market for tested and approved GM crops.
“This report does not cover the field in identifying areas for increased regulatory efficiency, but it has confirmed the importance of improvement along the lines of a number of CropLife’s key priority areas.
“The federal government has often emphasised that improving agricultural productivity is one of its core economic goals. This report sets out a clear, objective analysis of the heavy and unnecessary regulatory burdens carried by Australian agribusiness and the farming sector. It also illustrates a simple path to alleviating some of those burdens. A more productive, sustainable agricultural sector is now at the government’s fingertips.
“In particular, it is vital that the government’s minor use program gets up and running as soon as possible, to improve responsible chemical usage; to significantly assist in addressing the challenges of weed and pest resistance problems; and to ensure that Australian food producers develop environmentally friendly, sustainable, integrated crop management systems through access to the latest chemistry.” Mr Cossey concluded.
Contact: Jessica Lee (Manager – Public Affairs) Ph: 02 6230 6399 Mob: 0410 491 261