Archived Media Release
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Senator for Queensland
Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig

11 March 2011

Plant genetics key to securing world food supply

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, will tell his ministerial counterparts at a conference in Bali today that conserving and sustaining the world’s genetic plant material is key to tackling global food security.

“The impact of the recent extreme weather events in Australia on food production has highlighted how important it is to safeguard our crop genetic resources,” Minister Ludwig said.

Minister Ludwig will co-chair a session at a Ministerial Meeting hosted by Indonesia to coincide with the Fourth Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty).

Joined by his ministerial colleagues from 20 countries, Minister Ludwig will discuss the valuable role of the Treaty and its benefit sharing fund in the face of natural disasters, changing climate and loss of biodiversity.

“Australia relies on genetic resources from other countries for its crop development - more than 95 per cent of our broad acre and horticulture crops are sourced from genetic resources from other countries,” Minister Ludwig said.

“In the 30 years to 2008 Australian crop productivity increased by 1.9 per cent per annum, in part due to advances in plant breeding.”

The Treaty, established by 127 member countries, is a global mechanism designed to secure food crops. It is estimated 64 crops account for 80 per cent of the plant derived food consumed globally.

Members of the Treaty have developed a benefit sharing fund which invests in high-impact projects addressing food security, adaptation to climate change and agricultural biodiversity. Australia contributed A$1 million to this fund in 2010.

“It is important that the Treaty be successful and is recognised as the framework for conserving and sharing crop genetic resources,” Minister Ludwig said.

“The Treaty provides the framework within which this exchange can occur, where we can share the benefits of cooperation and preserve plant genetic resources for future generations.”

“This is why Australia strongly supports the Benefit Sharing Fund, and why we encourage other contracting parties and partner organisations to do the same.”

Media contact:
Sarah McSporran +61 423 823 843 or +61 2 6277 7520