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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Longterm Future of Primary Industries sector |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jan 03 2007 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
No. 1465 Asked on Tuesday, 28 November 2006
MR LAWLOR asked the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries (MR MULHERIN)-
QUESTION:
Will he detail increased investment in research and development and how it will underpin the longterm future of the primary industries sector?
ANSWER:
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) future investment in research and development is outlined in the Research and Development Strategy which was released by the Premier in March 2005. The Strategy sets out the broad principles for DPI&F's research and development (R&D) direction over a 5-10 year horizon.
The total state funded DPI&F investment in R&D for 2006-07 is approximately $60 million. R&D is well recognised as a significant contributor to economic growth. This is addressed by the Strategy which focuses on investment in strengthening industry competitiveness, expanding horizons and protecting and sustaining existing and future capacity for Queensland's primary industries and fisheries.
The Strategy outlines three investment platforms - evolutionary, tactical and revolutionary - across which future investment will be balanced. To achieve this balance, DPI&F has been steadily increasing its investment in the revolutionary platform. This platform involves new technologies and establishing new industries and is the primary vehicle for delivering DPI&F's investment in cutting-edge R&D.
In the current financial year, DPI&F allocated an additional $800,000 to R&D in this area. This R&D will underpin the development and establishment of new industries or approaches which provide opportunities for long term market growth.
Specifically, this increased investment is occurring in four strategic areas outlined in the Strategy:
o agricultural biotechnology;
o foods for the future;
o tropical and subtropical science; and
o advanced biomaterials.
New candidate projects for investment are currently being developed.
Potential areas include:
o genomic analysis in tropical horticulture crops such as mango and papaw to discover new genes affecting the production and market characteristics of tropical fruit;
o developing high value niche food products with natural functionality based on the recognised health benefits of such foods;
o developing advanced sensor technologies to monitor the quality and safety of foods such as seafood and horticultural products;
o developing crops to produce biopolymers which provide feedstocks which are alternatives to petroleum-derived products; and
o developing rapid bioassays for identifying novel biomaterials and bioactive substances from plants and animals which are of benefit to Queensland agriculture.
Successful projects in these areas will provide results that extend the scope of existing DPI&F research and development to underpin future development opportunities for Queensland agriculture. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 3:24 PM
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