Australian Government Media Release - 1 June 2009
The Rudd Government has announced another major research investment to help our agricultural industries adapt to climate change, including the grain, grape, dairy, aquaculture and beef industries. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has announced a total of $37.6 million for ten projects, under the Climate Change Research Program.
There are three priorities under the program:
- reducing greenhouse pollution,
- improving soil management and
- adapting to a changing climate.
Funding has already been committed to projects targeting the first two priorities: $21.4 million for research into soil carbon - including $1.4 million to research biochar - $12 million to research nitrous oxide emissions in soil and $26.8 million to reduce emissions from livestock.
This $37.6 million for the third research priority includes $11 million from the Government and contributions from industry research bodies including Meat and Livestock Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Projects will be established in all states and the Northern Territory and include:
- Developing genetic traits in wheat and sorghum that suit hotter, drier environments with higher levels of carbon dioxide;
- Investigate potential business opportunities and risks from relocating some production systems to northern Australia, including the peanut, processing tomato and rice or cotton industries;
- Research new grape varieties which are more tolerant to extreme weather events associated with climate change;
- Investigate the implications of climate change on our fisheries and aquaculture;
- Research to ease heat stress in the dairy, beef and sheep industries in southern Australia.
For more information on the Climate Change Research program go to http://www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/australias-farming-future/climate-change-and-productivity-research/adaptation_research_program.