16 November 2010:  Don’t slash R&D – it is critical, says CANEGROWERS

CANEGROWERS says strong research and development in agriculture is mission critical and has called on government to continue its contribution to the sugar sector, which matched by industry, provides a robust platform for a positive future for the important Australian industry.

CANEGROWERS presented a strong submission before the Productivity Commission today in response to its draft report of its inquiry into rural research and development.

“CANEGROWERS made the point that public funding for agricultural research is good business for the community, government and Australian consumers,” says CANEGROWERS CEO, Steve Greenwood.

“Without government investment the myriad benefits of agricultural research such as export income, reducing farming impacts on the Great Barrier Reef and adaption to climate change would be lost.

“There are opportunities to look at ways of better structuring R&D. An immediate consideration is the closer positioning of the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC) within the broader structure of the Australian sugar industry, which in turn would help drive delivery and outcomes more closely aligned with the objectives of the industry.”

According to CANEGROWERS, strong investment in research and development has underpinned the industry’s success, and the peak body for sugarcane growers upholds that this focus must continue if Australia is to remain competitive on the world stage.