Posted on behalf of Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig – Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister assisting Queensland Floods Recovery and Senator for Queensland
27 November 2012
DAFF12/428L
A revised Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries (CCRSPI) launched today will help build a sustainable, strong and viable future for Australia’s primary industries.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, launched the strategy to coincide with the CCRSPI conference in Melbourne, attended by government, industry and research bodies.
Minister Ludwig said the strategy highlights the importance of Australia’s agriculture sector and will help mitigate the impacts of climate change through a wide range of research, development and extension.
“The Gillard Government is committed to supporting our primary industries to be productive, competitive and sustainable in the future,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The strategy outlines the opportunities and challenges posed by climate change and how to respond to them. This will help us ensure these industries continue to meet our food and fibre needs but also support thousands of agricultural jobs in rural and regional Australia.”
The strategy supports a number of existing programs and policies that are already producing positive results for Australian agriculture. This includes the $429 million Carbon Farming Futures Program, which helps farmers reduce on-farm emissions and enhance productivity.
“Up to $50 million in competitive grants are available under the latest round of the Filling the Research Gap Program, which is carrying forward the priorities of round one and now includes adaptation and international collaboration,” Minister Ludwig said.
“This will connect to on-farm opportunities through the next round of funding under the Action on the Ground Program which will open early next year for projects to commence from July 2013.
“While the $64 million Extension and Outreach Program is helping primary producers make sense of carbon farming opportunities, and participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative.”
CCRSPI operates under a mandate from the Council of Australian Governments’ Standing Council on Primary Industries. CCRSPI partners include the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, the rural research and development corporations and the CSIRO.
“I would like to congratulate the CCRSPI partners on the development of this strategy—by working together we can ensure the sustainability of our primary industries, even in the face of the threats and challenges posed by climate change,” Minister Ludwig said.
More information is available on the CCRSPI website www.ccrspi.org.au.