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Biotechnology is helping the fight against climate change
BRS08/RS1612
16 December 2008
Biotechnology can help Australian farmers to remain viable despite the effects of a changing climate.
Karen Schneider, Executive Director of the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS), today released the report Australia’s crops and pastures in a changing climate: can biotechnology help?
“There are a number of plant traits likely to be important for adapting to climate change, including heat tolerance, water and nitrogen use efficiency, and pest and disease resistance,” Ms Schneider said.
“Biotechnology techniques, such as genetic modification (GM), are increasingly playing an important role in the development of new crop and pasture varieties with these traits.
“The adoption of GM insect-resistant cotton has proven very effective in controlling insect pests.
“This technology will become increasingly important when addressing altered pest distributions expected under climate change,” Ms Schneider said.
Biotechnology can also assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by agriculture.
“GM insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops grown by Australian farmers already help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cropping by reducing the fuel use associated with pesticide applications and encouraging no-till or conservation tillage practices.
“New varieties developed using biotechnology may help to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. For example, nitrogen-use efficient crops could lead to reductions in the use of nitrogenous fertiliser,” said Ms Schneider.
Biotechnology can also indirectly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating the adoption of farm management practices that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase carbon sequestration activities.
In Australia, GM organisms are regulated by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, and are assessed for risks to human health and safety and the environment.
For further information or to download a copy of Australia’s crops and pastures in a changing climate: can biotechnology help? visit www.brs.gov.au.
ENDS
MORE INFORMATION: Jenny Bibo, BRS Communications Manager, 02 6267 4869 or 0434 735 465