Minister for Primary Industries The Honourable Tony Perrett
Labs to Boost State Sugar Industry
- Crisafulli Government welcomes new Sugar Research Australia Innovative Research & Industry Services (IRIS) Laboratories.
- Facility houses state-of-the-art technology to drive future advancements in plant breeding, genetics, biosecurity and precision agriculture.
- Growing our sugar industry, valued at $2.5 billion, is crucial to driving an uplift in primary industries production to $30 billion by 2030.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to support Queensland’s sugar industry, today joining Sugar Research Australia to officially open its new Innovative Research & Industry Services (IRIS) Laboratories in Brisbane.
The new facility is a one-stop shop for cutting-edge science in the sugar industry, and will be able to generate faster results, enhanced precision and the ability to develop new solutions tailored specifically to the needs of growers and millers.
The Crisafulli Government’s $2.8 million investment in Sugar Research Australia (SRA) aims to support the industry through much needed scientific research, development and extension activities.
This investment is crucial to reaching the Crisafulli Government’s ambitious goal of growing primary industries to $30 billion by 2030.
Over the last year, Queensland’s sugarcane industry produced more than 27 million tonnes of sugarcane from 330,000 hectares of prime agricultural land, with the crop valued at almost $2.5 billion.
Former Labor Governments spent the past decade failing to invest in the growth of primary industries and burdened industry with onerous regulation, which stifled growth.
The opening of the new IRIS Laboratories is in addition to a raft of Crisafulli Government initiatives that back in research and development right across Queensland.
Recent budget includes funding for a purpose-built glasshouse at the Gatton Research Facility and funding to finalise the Master Plan and AgTech Infrastructure Development at Emerald.
The Crisafulli Government is actively working with industry stakeholders to ensure a prosperous future for growers and the future success of the industry. Recent investments include:
- $2.85 million annually to Sugar Research Australia (SRA) for co-investment in targeted research, development and extension activities to benefit the sugarcane industry.
- A combined investment with SRA of up to $32.6 million over 4 years for the future of Australia’s sugarcane industry.
- A $500,000 funding package for Canegrowers Queensland will support the development of a Far North Queensland Cane Expansion Plan over 3 years. This plan aims to boost productivity of the sugar industry in the region through integrated research, industry knowledge and grower engagement.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said this investment would deliver Research, Development and Extension activities aimed at improving productivity, profitability and long-term sustainability for sugarcane growers, milling companies and regional communities.
“The Crisafulli Government knows exactly how crucial the sugar industry is to our State’s prosperity, and this investment we’re making with SRA is testament to our commitment to working alongside industry,” Minister Perrett said.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/103081