RESEARCH proposals are being sought by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) to find solutions to Australia’s weeds problems.
It is estimated that weeds cost the Australian economy more than $4 billion a year in lost agricultural production and land management expenses. The cost to the environment is estimated to be of a similar magnitude.
“Weeds impact on agriculture by competing with pastures and crops for natural resources, and can contaminate produce and poison livestock,” RIRDC Acting General Manager National Rural Issues Ken Moore said.
“Weeds also harm biodiversity by out-competing native plants and degrading the habitat of our native animals.
“Weeds management strategies are also being challenged by factors such as the changing climate and increased resistance to traditional herbicides, which is why the Australian Government is funding new research seeking weeds solutions.”
RIRDC is managing the Australian Government’s National Weeds and Productivity Research Program. The Program was an election commitment of the Government in 2007 and a first stage of the Program involving 39 research projects was managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
This second stage of the Program is a call for weeds research proposals which will enhance knowledge and management options, and improve Australia’s capacity to respond to the on-going weeds challenge. It will be driven by a five-year R&D Plan that was developed after consultation with research organisations, farmers, land managers, and government agencies.
“The Program is looking for proposals that involve collaboration with other partners and address knowledge needs at a landscape, regional or industry level and processes or actions for the adoption of this knowledge into practice. We are particularly interested in research that involves a mixture of scientific, social and institutional research,” Mr Moore said.
The five-year R&D plan was last week approved by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Dr Mike Kelly.
The plan’s objectives are:
- To improve knowledge for effective risk management of weeds
- Reduce current and future impacts of weeds on Australia’s productive systems and environments
- Support improved adoption of weed management approaches
- Plan for future funding and institutional arrangements for national investment and management of weeds R&D
“More details about the program, including the five-year R&D plan and the open call guidelines, are available at the RIRDC website, www.rirdc.gov.au,” Mr Moore said.
The deadline for research submissions is 13 December 2010. More information is available by emailing weeds@rirdc.gov.au or calling 02 6271 4100.
