Published Tuesday, 26 December, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
QUEENSLAND PARTNERS ISRAEL FOR FARMING PROJECTS
The Queensland Government will invest $600,000 in a program of research projects in partnership with Israel aimed at improving the production of avocados, tomatoes and prawns.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will jointly fund three collaborative projects developed following the Premier Peter Beattie’s visit to Israel in 2004.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said over the next three years DPI&F staff would work with Israeli agricultural scientists to apply new methods of disease control, breeding and genetic manipulation to primary production.
“Avocados are worth $35 million to the Queensland economy each year, but as much as 25 percent of product is not fit for sale when it reaches the retail stage because of disease and decay,” Mr Mullherin said.
“Through this joint project with Israel we will be able to develop better lines of fruit and reduce post harvest losses through maximising disease resistance.
“Likewise with tomatoes, we will be tapping into work done by the Israelis, which will incorporate resistance traits in new breeding lines that will ultimately reduce the impact of tomato yellow leaf curl virus on tomato production.
“Israel has a thriving aquaculture sector and the third joint project will focus on genetic manipulation to develop better breeding stocks leading to quicker growing black tiger prawns and redclaw crayfish here in Queensland.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F were working closely with the Israel Binational Agriculture Research and Development Fund to build linkages with Israeli agricultural research scientists to develop these collaborative projects.
“This is a perfect example of the Queensland Government establishing partnerships with international organisations for mutual benefit.
“We are seeking out countries with a particular expertise in primary production and working with them in a shared-knowledge partnership,” he said.
“We stand to benefit significantly from these projects with Israel.
“The lessons learned will be applied here to further develop our horticulture and aquaculture industries, ensuring we maintain our world-class standards and reputation for top quality product.”
Media: 323 96530
The Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will jointly fund three collaborative projects developed following the Premier Peter Beattie’s visit to Israel in 2004.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said over the next three years DPI&F staff would work with Israeli agricultural scientists to apply new methods of disease control, breeding and genetic manipulation to primary production.
“Avocados are worth $35 million to the Queensland economy each year, but as much as 25 percent of product is not fit for sale when it reaches the retail stage because of disease and decay,” Mr Mullherin said.
“Through this joint project with Israel we will be able to develop better lines of fruit and reduce post harvest losses through maximising disease resistance.
“Likewise with tomatoes, we will be tapping into work done by the Israelis, which will incorporate resistance traits in new breeding lines that will ultimately reduce the impact of tomato yellow leaf curl virus on tomato production.
“Israel has a thriving aquaculture sector and the third joint project will focus on genetic manipulation to develop better breeding stocks leading to quicker growing black tiger prawns and redclaw crayfish here in Queensland.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F were working closely with the Israel Binational Agriculture Research and Development Fund to build linkages with Israeli agricultural research scientists to develop these collaborative projects.
“This is a perfect example of the Queensland Government establishing partnerships with international organisations for mutual benefit.
“We are seeking out countries with a particular expertise in primary production and working with them in a shared-knowledge partnership,” he said.
“We stand to benefit significantly from these projects with Israel.
“The lessons learned will be applied here to further develop our horticulture and aquaculture industries, ensuring we maintain our world-class standards and reputation for top quality product.”
Media: 323 96530