May 21, 2010

Western Australia (WA) will soon have some new facilities for genetically-modified (GM) crop research after an AUD9 million (US$7.4 million) funding commitment from the State Budget.

Two climate simulator facilities will be built in the wheat belt with the aim of improving crop genetics to help tackle frost and drought.

WA Agriculture Minister Terry Redman said he is not concerned about getting complaints from anti-GM lobbyists. "There's a whole heap of farmers out there in Western Australia who are absolutely impressed with the decision we made around GM crop in this state," he said.

"I'm sure they are going to welcome the day that we focus on research and development to make them competitive in what is a challenging international market," he said.