- Committing $8.2 million over 4 years from 2022-23 and $1.6 million each year from 2026-27 to protect our valuable livestock and pasture genetic resources
- Establishing a National Livestock Genebank and continuing the Australian Pastures Genebank
Valuable livestock and seed genetics will be preserved through the Liberals and Nationals Government’s commitment to national genebanks.
Member for Groom Garth Hamilton said Genebanks are a way of future-proofing Australian agriculture, so we can have the best and most innovative way of protecting our breeding lines.
It is only a Liberal and Nationals government that has the foresight to put this genebank in place to protect our livestock industry.
“Labor doesn’t even have a policy for agriculture, let alone protecting it into the future,” Mr Hamilton said.
Genebanks are a way of securing high value genetic lines in case of an emergency, such as fire, flood or a biosecurity incursion. Australian Pastures Genebank is estimated to contribute between $62.5 and $250 million in improved agricultural productivity every year.
“They’re also important for research. By having a storage bank of genetic material, we can leverage co-investment and research to develop breeds and cultivars that will suit our unique environment,” Mr Hamilton said.
Fast Facts:
- Design of the National Livestock Genebank to be informed by a CSIRO feasibility study, initiated by our government, on options best suited to Australia’s needs
- Australian Pastures Genebank to be provided short-term funding security for transition to alternative longer-term management arrangements.
- Countries such as the USA, Germany and the Netherlands have established national livestock genebanks.
- Continuous livestock improvement is crucial to adapt to environmental change.
