A new partnership announced today between the Queensland Government and The University of Queensland is set to deliver more powerful research outcomes for Queensland agriculture.
The partnership brings together the research expertise of Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and UQ to expand the scope and improve the quality of research conducted for the sector.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries, Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the partnership with UQ will significantly boost Queensland’s agricultural research and development capability.
“This partnership is based on a Statement of Intent I have signed with UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It ensures the specific research needs of Queensland’s primary industries will be addressed by the most progressive science capability that can be created in this State or internationally.
“It presents exciting opportunities to improve the productivity and profitability of Queensland agriculture by linking cutting edge and applied science to ensure that the State’s industries remain internationally competitive.
“Scientists from Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and UQ will be working together, utilising new expertise and technologies to boost research outcomes for the benefit of our farmers and producers.
“This means real outcomes for our farmers and producers.
The Minister said the alliance will significantly increase the efficiency of the Queensland beef industry.
“It will remove critical production constraints from the $3.3b beef export trade by responding to climate change and decreasing food safety risks to protect human health.
“It will also provide a sharper focus for research in advanced plant science to assist the future development and international competitiveness of Queensland’s field crop and horticulture industries.
“This partnership will help Queensland attract and retain the best scientific staff and also address the looming skill shortage in agricultural science by increasing the specialist teaching capacity at the University.”
The Minister said the partnership will forge a new high-profile alliance with The University of Queensland.
“The alliance will incorporate the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences already established at the University along with advanced interdisciplinary plant and animal research that will be negotiated as part of the formal partnership,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries will work closely with The University of Queensland to plan and implement its initial stage over the next twelve months.”
Mr Mulherin said he expected additional areas of research will be progressively integrated into the alliance within two years.
“This partnership will complement valuable collaboration that has already occurred with UQ, such as the creation of the Centre for Advanced Animal Science at Gatton and the Crop Development Facility at Redlands,” he said.
UQ Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Max Lu said the new partnership would enhance the long-standing and successful relationship with Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and expand interaction across the whole University.
“For the first time, expertise throughout the whole of UQ will be harnessed for agriculture in Queensland,” Professor Lu said.
“The great advances in agriculture this century will rely on high-quality research that is conducted by organisations such as ours.
“By working more closely together we will strengthen our capacity to deliver high-impact outcomes for Queensland agriculture, which will in turn boost the economy and create employment.”
Media: Matt Watson for Mr Mulherin (3239 3120) or Fiona Kennedy for Professor Lu (3365 1384).
