Published Tuesday, 02 September, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
New Research Facility To Boost Queensland’s Contribution To Food Security
Queensland’s role in finding solutions to the global food shortage has been significantly strengthened today with the opening of the $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at Gatton by Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin MP.
“The Bligh Government’s contributed more than $20 million towards this important facility along with more than $11 million from the University of Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There’s no doubt this key collaboration between the Bligh Government and the University of Queensland will help scientists as they take a fresh approach to food security as well as biosecurity.
“The CAAS facility at Gatton is an important part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to continue to build tomorrow’s Queensland today and to plan for and secure the future of primary industries.”
CAAS will house some of the nation’s leading scientists, whose work will also directly impact the state’s ability to increase food production while ensuring the production footprint remains properly focused.
“The work of CAAS scientists will target a range of projects which are important on the world stage. In part, the research will target the reduction of greenhouse emissions in cattle, the development of a cattle tick vaccine and a key international poultry disease issue – coccidiosis,” Mr Mulherin said.
“These are practical ways the Bligh Government can help Queensland researchers tackle the vital issues of food security and biosecurity. Many of the scientists’ projects will address not only domestic issues but matters of global importance to primary producers.
“The innovative research tackled by CAAS scientists will also aim to draw some of the world’s foremost research leaders who will be able to visit and collaborate with our staff.”
Mr Mulherin said the new CAAS facilities at the Gatton campus of The University of Queensland (UQ), were part of DPI&F’s ‘fresh approach’ to growing the primary industries sector.
“In order to gain maximum impact for the agricultural industry, my department is refining its work under three pillars: building skills for the future, delivering innovative research partnerships to grow investment, as well as driving profitability from the farm ‘gate to plate’,” he said.
“CAAS falls under the second pillar - innovative research partnerships.”
Mr Mulherin said CAAS was the result of a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries along with the University of Queensland.
UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the DPI&F and Smart State investments in CAAS highlighted the state’s commitment to scientific research as the basis for sound policy and practice.
“CAAS is the way of the future–cutting edge infrastructure created by a joint venture between the Bligh Government and UQ, with a strong industry focus,” Professor Greenfield said.
“It is a vital component of a major upgrade at UQ Gatton, which includes making Gatton the home of our School of Veterinary Science.
“The strategy will give Queensland the best precinct in Australia–and one of the best anywhere in the subtropics–for research and teaching involving animals.
“It will offer advanced education and training to future researchers and industry professionals, responding to industry’s need for a workforce that is expert in areas including animal health and welfare, livestock production and animal-related biosecurity.”
Mr Mulherin said the opening of CAAS marked an important milestone in the efforts of industry, researchers and the Bligh Government to deliver a fresh, innovative approach to agricultural research.
“These facilities provide an unprecedented opportunity for Australian agricultural research and will be a drawcard for additional investment to drive growth in primary industries,” Mr Mulherin said.
“As well as containment rooms for disease research, the facilities include grouped and individual animal pens for nutrition trials, a feed processing shed and cattle handling yards.
“This facility will boost world-class research into animal growth, adaptation, welfare, and health and vaccines – research that is vital if we are to address the growing problem of global food shortages.”
CAAS is a joint commitment by the DPI&F, the University of Queensland and the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry under the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush, a 10-year plan to build a sustainable, liveable and prosperous rural Queensland.
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“The Bligh Government’s contributed more than $20 million towards this important facility along with more than $11 million from the University of Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“There’s no doubt this key collaboration between the Bligh Government and the University of Queensland will help scientists as they take a fresh approach to food security as well as biosecurity.
“The CAAS facility at Gatton is an important part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to continue to build tomorrow’s Queensland today and to plan for and secure the future of primary industries.”
CAAS will house some of the nation’s leading scientists, whose work will also directly impact the state’s ability to increase food production while ensuring the production footprint remains properly focused.
“The work of CAAS scientists will target a range of projects which are important on the world stage. In part, the research will target the reduction of greenhouse emissions in cattle, the development of a cattle tick vaccine and a key international poultry disease issue – coccidiosis,” Mr Mulherin said.
“These are practical ways the Bligh Government can help Queensland researchers tackle the vital issues of food security and biosecurity. Many of the scientists’ projects will address not only domestic issues but matters of global importance to primary producers.
“The innovative research tackled by CAAS scientists will also aim to draw some of the world’s foremost research leaders who will be able to visit and collaborate with our staff.”
Mr Mulherin said the new CAAS facilities at the Gatton campus of The University of Queensland (UQ), were part of DPI&F’s ‘fresh approach’ to growing the primary industries sector.
“In order to gain maximum impact for the agricultural industry, my department is refining its work under three pillars: building skills for the future, delivering innovative research partnerships to grow investment, as well as driving profitability from the farm ‘gate to plate’,” he said.
“CAAS falls under the second pillar - innovative research partnerships.”
Mr Mulherin said CAAS was the result of a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries along with the University of Queensland.
UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the DPI&F and Smart State investments in CAAS highlighted the state’s commitment to scientific research as the basis for sound policy and practice.
“CAAS is the way of the future–cutting edge infrastructure created by a joint venture between the Bligh Government and UQ, with a strong industry focus,” Professor Greenfield said.
“It is a vital component of a major upgrade at UQ Gatton, which includes making Gatton the home of our School of Veterinary Science.
“The strategy will give Queensland the best precinct in Australia–and one of the best anywhere in the subtropics–for research and teaching involving animals.
“It will offer advanced education and training to future researchers and industry professionals, responding to industry’s need for a workforce that is expert in areas including animal health and welfare, livestock production and animal-related biosecurity.”
Mr Mulherin said the opening of CAAS marked an important milestone in the efforts of industry, researchers and the Bligh Government to deliver a fresh, innovative approach to agricultural research.
“These facilities provide an unprecedented opportunity for Australian agricultural research and will be a drawcard for additional investment to drive growth in primary industries,” Mr Mulherin said.
“As well as containment rooms for disease research, the facilities include grouped and individual animal pens for nutrition trials, a feed processing shed and cattle handling yards.
“This facility will boost world-class research into animal growth, adaptation, welfare, and health and vaccines – research that is vital if we are to address the growing problem of global food shortages.”
CAAS is a joint commitment by the DPI&F, the University of Queensland and the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry under the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush, a 10-year plan to build a sustainable, liveable and prosperous rural Queensland.
Media: 3239 6530