Qld Government to invest $32 million in beef industry
Published Tuesday, 09 December, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
The Bligh Government will inject $32 million into the beef industry to fund new and improved biosecurity and a network of world-class beef research facilities.
This includes construction of a $13 million PC3 biosecurity laboratory at Townsville’s James Cook University (JCU) campus to enable faster diagnosis of devastating diseases such as Anthrax, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza and Hendra virus.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the lab will significantly boost Queensland's biosecurity capability and will also be a major benefit to the beef industry.
He made the announcement in Townsville where he launched both the 2020 Beef Plan and the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy.
Mr Mulherin said: "Both strategies are in keeping with the Bligh Government’s Q2 ambition to be ‘strong’ and ‘green’ – creating a strong economy powered by bright ideas and protecting our lifestyle and environment.
“The 2020 Beef plan confirms our position as the leading beef state and the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy shows we are serious about addressing threats head-on.
“Effective biosecurity, to protect Queensland from pests, weeds and disease, is vital to the future of our animal and plant industries and the environment.
"What is certain is that at some point we will face a significant threat and we must be prepared, which is why the state government has developed a comprehensive strategy to boost biosecurity capacity in the coming years.
"The strategy, the first of its kind for Queensland, maps out the key areas of focus over the next five years to build on our existing world-class biosecurity system, including better preparedness, earlier detection and more effective response to biosecurity threats.
"Efforts to improve the capability and capacity of Queenslanders to deal with biosecurity risks are also highlighted. This will be a underpinned by a new single piece of biosecurity legislation. There will also be a strong focus on science, education and community engagement and a commitment to improve IT platforms to enhance management of emergencies and laboratory systems.
The Minister said stronger biosecurity will be achieved through government, industry and the community working together to improve biosecurity systems and build biosecurity capability.
"The new tropical Biosecurity facility to be constructed at JCU is just one example of improving our capability," he said.
"It brings together our science, training and biosecurity response capacity together in one location. Co-location with JCU provides particular benefits and is a tangible development under the Statement of Intent I signed in June to establish an Australian Institute of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.
"This facility will offer a high containment PC3 lab in north Queensland, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases such as Anthrax, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza and Hendra virus, and reducing potential impacts to animal industries.
"The beef industry is worth $4.3 billion to our economy annually and employs more than 25,000 Queenslanders - it is an industry definitely worth protecting.
"We are also focused on growing the profitability of the industry through our 2020 Beef plan which includes:
• The new $13 million Biosecurity laboratory in Townsville
• a new purpose-designed beef research property in North Queensland's dry tropics, expected to carry 2000 breeders, which will be one of Australia's peak locations for projects to advance beef breeding - a key driver of profitability
• an upgrade of an existing research property at Brian Pastures (owned by AgForce and leased by DPI&F)
• An upgrade of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (AACC's) Berrigurra property at Blackwater
• two major laboratories at the Ecoscience Precinct at Boggo Road and the Health and Food Science Precinct at Coopers Plains in partnership with other State government agencies and CSIRO
• an intensive animal production, health and welfare research facility at the Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at Gatton in partnership with the University of Queensland.
"These facilities will together renew and upgrade Queensland's beef R&D infrastructure. The new dry tropics rangeland research facility will represent typical north Queensland breeder country, making research more relevant to industry. The centre will be a key link in the on-going identification and validation of improved beef cattle genetics effecting fertility, meat quality and adaptation. This will provide a long term financial boost to the beef industry. It will have a major role in investigating the causes and solutions for reproductive inefficiencies such as embryo and new-born calf loss.
"The new facility will play an important role in cost-effectively increasing productivity from beef breeding herds by addressing issues of climate variability and change, and sustainable grazing practices, as well as achieving high standards of husbandry and welfare for beef cattle.
"The upgrade of AACC's Berrigurra and co-location with DPI&F research and training will provide career pathways and delivery of Vocational Education Training (VET) to provide industry with technically competent, employable workers.
Mr Mulherin said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries had consulted extensively with industry and the department’s own scientific and beef extension staff over the past eight months on the strategy to shape the future of Queensland’s beef industry.
“The 2020 Beef plan includes major recommendations from AgForce and other key industry bodies to address the research, infrastructure, collaborations and investment needed to accelerate growth in Queensland’s largest agricultural industry,” he said.
“As part of the investment, the Department will be employing additional scientists in areas such as reproductive physiology, genetics, animal breeding and welfare. These are priority areas identified with industry.
“The Department will further expand its FutureBeef extension capacity including in North West Queensland. We will also develop, in conjunction with industry, a program to meet the needs of the sheep and wool industry in this state, particularly in sheep meat.
"The next three years will see us relocate beef R&D from existing research stations at Toorak (Julia Creek), Swans Lagoon (Ayr) and Brigalow (Moura, south-west of Rockhampton) where the facilities have become outdated or less relevant to industry needs. These facilities will be sold with the proceeds to finance our new investments in the beef industry. I have also directed my department to progress planning to co-locate DPI&F's Oonoonba activities with our partner JCU.
The Minister said DPI&F will work closely with staff to ensure a smooth transition in the years ahead.
"No-one will be forced out of a job, appropriate housing will be identified and relocation costs will be met where required," he said.
"Access to existing research facilities will be retained while new research facilities are being developed."
AgForce President John Cotter said: "It is encouraging to see the State Government work closely with industry in reaching today's announcement.
“Following our discussions with DPI&F, we are confident these plans will enhance Queensland's beef R&D capacity and deliver improved productivity and profitability for industry.”
Australian Agricultural Company General Manager Corporate Affairs, Stuart Kenny said: “We welcome today’s announcement and the strong investment in Queensland’s beef R&D. AACo looks forward to working in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to deliver better outcomes for the beef industry”.
James Cook University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, welcomed the Queensland Government's investment in the biosecurity lab.
"There are obvious synergies between what the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries does and the research and work of JCU's School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences," she said.
""The co-location of the new DPIF biosecurity lab on the Townsville Campus makes a lot of sense. It is a vital area of work for the security and health of Australia not only in relation to our plants and animals but also the people,” Professor Harding said.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield said: “Queensland’s position as the national leader in beef R&D is further strengthened with today’s announcement. The work at these facilities will complement the beef research undertaken at the new Centre for Advanced Animal Science at UQ Gatton.
DPI&F Senior Principal Scientist Richard Holroyd said: “a new beef cattle property will play an important role in increasing productivity from beef breeding herds by addressing issues of climate variability and change, sustainable grazing practices, as well as achieving high standards of husbandry and welfare for beef cattle. These facilities will enable better research outcomes that are more relevant to industry.”
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530
This includes construction of a $13 million PC3 biosecurity laboratory at Townsville’s James Cook University (JCU) campus to enable faster diagnosis of devastating diseases such as Anthrax, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza and Hendra virus.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the lab will significantly boost Queensland's biosecurity capability and will also be a major benefit to the beef industry.
He made the announcement in Townsville where he launched both the 2020 Beef Plan and the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy.
Mr Mulherin said: "Both strategies are in keeping with the Bligh Government’s Q2 ambition to be ‘strong’ and ‘green’ – creating a strong economy powered by bright ideas and protecting our lifestyle and environment.
“The 2020 Beef plan confirms our position as the leading beef state and the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy shows we are serious about addressing threats head-on.
“Effective biosecurity, to protect Queensland from pests, weeds and disease, is vital to the future of our animal and plant industries and the environment.
"What is certain is that at some point we will face a significant threat and we must be prepared, which is why the state government has developed a comprehensive strategy to boost biosecurity capacity in the coming years.
"The strategy, the first of its kind for Queensland, maps out the key areas of focus over the next five years to build on our existing world-class biosecurity system, including better preparedness, earlier detection and more effective response to biosecurity threats.
"Efforts to improve the capability and capacity of Queenslanders to deal with biosecurity risks are also highlighted. This will be a underpinned by a new single piece of biosecurity legislation. There will also be a strong focus on science, education and community engagement and a commitment to improve IT platforms to enhance management of emergencies and laboratory systems.
The Minister said stronger biosecurity will be achieved through government, industry and the community working together to improve biosecurity systems and build biosecurity capability.
"The new tropical Biosecurity facility to be constructed at JCU is just one example of improving our capability," he said.
"It brings together our science, training and biosecurity response capacity together in one location. Co-location with JCU provides particular benefits and is a tangible development under the Statement of Intent I signed in June to establish an Australian Institute of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.
"This facility will offer a high containment PC3 lab in north Queensland, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases such as Anthrax, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza and Hendra virus, and reducing potential impacts to animal industries.
"The beef industry is worth $4.3 billion to our economy annually and employs more than 25,000 Queenslanders - it is an industry definitely worth protecting.
"We are also focused on growing the profitability of the industry through our 2020 Beef plan which includes:
• The new $13 million Biosecurity laboratory in Townsville
• a new purpose-designed beef research property in North Queensland's dry tropics, expected to carry 2000 breeders, which will be one of Australia's peak locations for projects to advance beef breeding - a key driver of profitability
• an upgrade of an existing research property at Brian Pastures (owned by AgForce and leased by DPI&F)
• An upgrade of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (AACC's) Berrigurra property at Blackwater
• two major laboratories at the Ecoscience Precinct at Boggo Road and the Health and Food Science Precinct at Coopers Plains in partnership with other State government agencies and CSIRO
• an intensive animal production, health and welfare research facility at the Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at Gatton in partnership with the University of Queensland.
"These facilities will together renew and upgrade Queensland's beef R&D infrastructure. The new dry tropics rangeland research facility will represent typical north Queensland breeder country, making research more relevant to industry. The centre will be a key link in the on-going identification and validation of improved beef cattle genetics effecting fertility, meat quality and adaptation. This will provide a long term financial boost to the beef industry. It will have a major role in investigating the causes and solutions for reproductive inefficiencies such as embryo and new-born calf loss.
"The new facility will play an important role in cost-effectively increasing productivity from beef breeding herds by addressing issues of climate variability and change, and sustainable grazing practices, as well as achieving high standards of husbandry and welfare for beef cattle.
"The upgrade of AACC's Berrigurra and co-location with DPI&F research and training will provide career pathways and delivery of Vocational Education Training (VET) to provide industry with technically competent, employable workers.
Mr Mulherin said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries had consulted extensively with industry and the department’s own scientific and beef extension staff over the past eight months on the strategy to shape the future of Queensland’s beef industry.
“The 2020 Beef plan includes major recommendations from AgForce and other key industry bodies to address the research, infrastructure, collaborations and investment needed to accelerate growth in Queensland’s largest agricultural industry,” he said.
“As part of the investment, the Department will be employing additional scientists in areas such as reproductive physiology, genetics, animal breeding and welfare. These are priority areas identified with industry.
“The Department will further expand its FutureBeef extension capacity including in North West Queensland. We will also develop, in conjunction with industry, a program to meet the needs of the sheep and wool industry in this state, particularly in sheep meat.
"The next three years will see us relocate beef R&D from existing research stations at Toorak (Julia Creek), Swans Lagoon (Ayr) and Brigalow (Moura, south-west of Rockhampton) where the facilities have become outdated or less relevant to industry needs. These facilities will be sold with the proceeds to finance our new investments in the beef industry. I have also directed my department to progress planning to co-locate DPI&F's Oonoonba activities with our partner JCU.
The Minister said DPI&F will work closely with staff to ensure a smooth transition in the years ahead.
"No-one will be forced out of a job, appropriate housing will be identified and relocation costs will be met where required," he said.
"Access to existing research facilities will be retained while new research facilities are being developed."
AgForce President John Cotter said: "It is encouraging to see the State Government work closely with industry in reaching today's announcement.
“Following our discussions with DPI&F, we are confident these plans will enhance Queensland's beef R&D capacity and deliver improved productivity and profitability for industry.”
Australian Agricultural Company General Manager Corporate Affairs, Stuart Kenny said: “We welcome today’s announcement and the strong investment in Queensland’s beef R&D. AACo looks forward to working in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to deliver better outcomes for the beef industry”.
James Cook University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, welcomed the Queensland Government's investment in the biosecurity lab.
"There are obvious synergies between what the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries does and the research and work of JCU's School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences," she said.
""The co-location of the new DPIF biosecurity lab on the Townsville Campus makes a lot of sense. It is a vital area of work for the security and health of Australia not only in relation to our plants and animals but also the people,” Professor Harding said.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield said: “Queensland’s position as the national leader in beef R&D is further strengthened with today’s announcement. The work at these facilities will complement the beef research undertaken at the new Centre for Advanced Animal Science at UQ Gatton.
DPI&F Senior Principal Scientist Richard Holroyd said: “a new beef cattle property will play an important role in increasing productivity from beef breeding herds by addressing issues of climate variability and change, sustainable grazing practices, as well as achieving high standards of husbandry and welfare for beef cattle. These facilities will enable better research outcomes that are more relevant to industry.”
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530