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Support for science & technology essential to world agriculture and trade

MEDIA RELEASE
27 September 2004

Prospects for world food security will not improve without increased support for the development and application of new technology, according to the Chinese Vice Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Yanhua Liu.

Dr Liu was speaking at the 4th International Crop Science Congress in Brisbane, which has brought together over 1000 delegates from 65 countries to focus on the key issues for cropping systems that provide food, feed and fibre for the world.

The senior Chinese science official reported that world food security and trade in agricultural products are being confronted with new challenges this century.

“In recent years, world food trade increased rapidly, but the growth was chaotic, liberalization progressed slowly and was largely independent of the world multilateral trade system,’ said Dr Liu.

“To comprehensively solve the problems in world agriculture and trade in agricultural products developing countries must adopt new technologies to improve traditional agricultural techniques,” says Dr Liu.

“They need to build modern biotechnology, and strengthen technologies associated with food safety, environmental ecology, and efficient water resources utilization, while extending the agricultural industries value-chain and guaranteeing stable and efficient growth of food output,” he says.

But Dr Liu discussed the important role for developed countries too.

“It is necessary to establish a fair and free international environment for trade in agricultural products,” says Dr Liu.

“We must pay close attention to the existence and development of small farmers, to establish a fair and reasonable environment for agricultural development, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, and promote the construction of agricultural organizations,” he says.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Dr Liu urged developed countries to strengthen international cooperation in agricultural science and technology.

Dr Liu proposes that the international community:

  • Pay full attention to the existence and development of small farmer families.
  • Establish a fair, equal and reasonable environment for agricultural development
  • Further strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in agricultural science and technology
  • Strengthen information exchanges and communications between members
  • Strengthen construction of agricultural organization systems; improve the level of organized activities
  • Strengthen service industries related to agriculture and the industry value-chain

Sponsors
4ICSC would like to thank all its supporters including the following major sponsors:
DIAMOND:
ACIAR and GRDC
PLATINUM:
AusAID, CSIRO, Pioneer Hi-Bred International and QDPI
GOLD:
IRRI and USDA-ARS

More information:
Cathy Reade, Media Manager, 4th International Crop Science Congress
Mobile: 0413 575 934
Email: creade@squirrel.com.au

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