Australia’s seven plant Research and Development Corporations (RDC) have announced a partnership to strengthen the country’s plant biosecurity research and development.
The group will streamline funding and increase research coordination to reduce overlaps and fill gaps in plant biosecurity research.
Grower-owned body Horticulture Innovation Australia is leading the new group alongside the wine, wood, cotton, grain, sugar and rural RDCs.
Horticulture Innovation Australia chief executive John Lloyd said the move would address the fragmentation and lack of coordination in Australia’s plant biosecurity research, which covers more than 50 commodities.
“What has been missing for plant biosecurity is the link between the research effort and the biosecurity community. Building this connection will increase our capacity to make sure our research investments are targeting national research priorities,” Lloyd said.
“This new initiative will see all funding and decision-making parties at the table to ensure greater coordination and activation of biosecurity investment.”
The group will develop guidelines for plant biosecurity research to develop a collaborative approach across different sectors, and develop modern co-investment models for new research funding.
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