PROGRAMS OF SELECTED RESEARCH BODIES

Despite the general acknowledgment that sound research and development work is essential to the success of developing industries, most of the utilisation sectors reviewed by the Committee still face significant gaps in required knowledge. The Committee was interested in the role that existing research bodies may have in generating the required information and the extent to which their current programs and processes may be of assistance.

The Committee has found that a range of ecological and agricultural research work is done within Victoria. Genetic research for pharmaceutical products or for genetic manipulation is also undertaken, as is some economic and market research with implications for the utilisation of native species.

Victorian Government and Associated Bodies

Arthur Rylah Institute

The research facility at the Arthur Rylah Institute at Heidelberg Research is part of the DNRE. It undertakes three main areas of research:

ee) flora survey;

ff) fauna survey; and

gg) freshwater ecology.

Much of this work is aimed at identifying the distribution and ecology of key native species, and interactions within natural ecosystems subject to utilisation. An example of the Institute's research is a study of the place of tree ferns in regeneration of forest vegetation after logging and the use of unlogged `islands' to retain habitat.⁴⁵

The majority of the Institute's work on plants is funded by the Federal Government, under the Regional Forest Agreement process. The whole of Victoria is being surveyed and ecological vegetation classes mapped. For most of the State the mapping is at a broad-brush scale. However, more-detailed assessment of vegetation has been done under contract for Parks Victoria. The Grampians is one area that has been surveyed in some detail.⁴⁶

The intention is to repeat the broad-brush surveys every five years to provide a monitoring tool for Victoria's flora. An estimation of the distribution of vegetation prior to European settlement is also being done. This is modelled on the basis of remnant vegetation and features of sites such as soil, slopes and climatic conditions. These studies permit an evaluation of the impacts of modern land use.⁴⁷

A key issue for the vegetation survey program is the need for an adequate, long-term commitment of resources to ensure that it is maintained.⁴⁸

The Institute also collaborates with the Institute for Horticultural Development (see below) by providing expertise in plant ecological research.⁴⁹

Research on native animals is mostly funded through the National Forest Agreement program to undertake surveys of fauna in relation to identified ecosystems. Victorian Government funding has been used to support faunal surveys of the box-ironbark country in north-eastern Victoria. ⁵⁰

One of the current major projects of the Institute's Freshwater Ecology Research Centre is supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and involves studies of water quality and relevant ecological factors in the Murray-Darling system. The research is currently based on northern New South Wales. It is also investigating the ecology and ecology impact of carp.⁵¹

Institute for Horticultural Development

The Institute for Horticultural Development is Victoria's main research and development body involved in the development of plants for commercial use. It operates from two sites - at Knoxfield and Toolangi. ⁵²

The Institute receives funding from the federal Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), as well as State funding. State funding has decreased in recent years, with a push towards greater funding from industry. Of the Institute's budget of $12 million, about half is from external sources such as Federal Government rural industry research grants and other external sources. About 175 people are involved in the Institute's work.

In addition to recurrent funding from the State government and that from the RIRDC, the Institute also obtains income through initiatives such as Flowers 2000 (which aims to double Victorian flower exports from the 1995 figure of $5 million to $10 million by 2000-01) . The Horticultural Research and Development Corporation matches industry funding for specific research projects.

The Institute's focus is on servicing the horticultural industry. Activities include the development and release to industry of new cultivars, packaging systems, pest-management techniques and industry training. It has been estimated that the Institute contributes about 30 per cent of the national effort and resources into temperate horticultural research.

The Institute employs four industry managers, whose task is ensure that the Institute's work reflects industry priorities (involving both growers and exporters). One of the managers is responsible for the `ornamentals' sector, which is one of the Institute's key research areas. The research includes the development of native plants for the cut-flower and ornamental-horticulture industries. While the Institute works closely with industry, little contracted research is done.

Current research projects to the value of $320,000 are specifically aimed at the development of ornamental native species.⁵³ These include:

hh) developing native wattles (Acacia spp.) as an export cut-flower crop;⁵⁴

ii) developing new Asteraceae (for example Chrysocephalum semipapposum) as cut flowers to complement the rice-flower industry;⁵⁵

jj) development of fumigation techniques to improve the longevity of exported native flowers;⁵⁶ and

kk) evaluation of the commercial potential of the broom heath-myrtle (Baeckea behrii).⁵⁷

Such research responds to needs of the market - the majority of cut-flower and ornamental-plant exports from Australia are wildflowers, and world markets are constantly demanding new and unique plants. There is, however, only one researcher working specifically on native-flower product development.

The Committee inspected the facilities of the Institute and viewed the trial plots of tea-tree. It was told that plants with desirable characteristics are selected from the wild and then selectively bred by the Institute. While the technological knowledge of genetic manipulation is available, it is not used in the development of wildflower cultivars because of its expense and the largely untapped natural resource and natural variation within and between species.

Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute

The Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute (MAFRI) was established in July 1996 through an agreement between the DNRE and the Board of the Victorian Institute of Marine Science.⁵⁸ This brought together under one administration two existing research facilities, one at Queenscliff and the other at Snobs Creek, Alexandra. It is incorporated within the DNRE. The major funding sources for the Institute are the Victorian Government and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. ⁵⁹

Research undertaken at the Queenscliff facility is predominantly marine related, in line with the large contribution of marine fisheries to Victoria's fishing industry.⁶⁰ This is outside the terms of reference of the current Inquiry. However, work at Queenscliff does include the Statewide collection and analysis of `Catch and Effort' information, which relates to both salt and fresh water species and is collected from recreational and commercial fishers. Analysis of these data indicates trends in the availability of various species and size of populations.

The Institute also undertakes analysis of its considerable resource of historical data, including that obtained from fish tagging.⁶¹

The research activities at the Snobs Creek facility support the freshwater aquaculture, wild-harvest and recreational fishing industries. They are also concerned with maintenance of biodiversity in marine and freshwater habitats.⁶² Current research activities include:

ll) studies of the genetic variation within Murray cod as the basis for selection for aquaculture production and maintenance of biodiversity;

mm) intensive aquaculture of the shortfinned eel;

nn) aquaculture production in saline inland water bodies and irrigation channels; and

oo) assessment of the Department's fish-stocking programs.

The DNRE's current five year research plan highlights the difficulties all such facilities face in maintaining the long-term research needed as a basis for sustainable management of native species, while being responsive to changing circumstances, including availability of external funds. Five years is not a long time in which to undertake research on species which, in many cases, live for 20 years or more. ⁶³

National Herbarium

The National Herbarium houses more than one million dried specimens of plants, including algae and fungi from Australia and overseas and is a fundamental resource for researchers of native-plant-based industries. ⁶⁴

It also has its own research program, which is integrated with those of the associated botanic gardens. In addition to undertaking basic taxonomic research, some research is undertaken into the distribution, ecology and management of Victoria's flora. The Herbarium also provides a limited plant-identification service. ⁶⁵

Victorian Zoological Parks and Gardens Board

Research undertaken by the Board includes the reproductive biology of the platypus, and several other species.⁶⁶ This research is aimed at more effective breeding and species-recovery plans. Studies concerned with the health of native animals and requirements to restore individuals to the wild are being done. The ecology of several native populations in the Healesville locality is being investigated. The Werribee Zoo is also undertaking studies on local native-grassland communities on which native animals in that area depend.

Funding for this research comes from the State Government, private donations and sponsorship and entrance fees.

Universities

A substantial amount of research relevant to the use and sustainability of native species is undertaken within Victoria's universities.

Unlike the work of CSIRO, there is little formal coordination of this research except through the Co-operative Research Centre (see below). There is, however, considerable and effective coordination through informal networks.⁶⁷

University research is often of a more fundamental nature than that of other institutions. It is also somewhat more independent of external direction. As a result it has the capacity to provide the basic knowledge upon which more applied research relies. Examples provided to the Committee include a study of the feeding behaviour of little penguins. This research, undertaken by a Ph D student at Monash University in the early 1990s, has been used to show the relationship between penguin starvation and utilisation and habitat-alteration activity many kilometres from the breeding areas.⁶⁸

The Committee was also informed of the important role that research undertaken by a former member of the Monash University staff (now with the University of Adelaide) played in development of the kelp-harvesting industry on King Island. This research was undertaken as a fundamental study of kelp ecology. Studies on kelp are continuing at Monash University.

Applied research is also undertaken in universities. An example is work by the Graduate School of Environmental Science, Monash University. Its studies on ecotourism have been incorporated into a book, Australian Ecotourism, currently under review.⁶⁹ The recently formed Tourism Department of La Trobe University is studying high-country development.⁷⁰

Examples of other relevant university research are:

pp) Monash University studies of human impacts on wetlands, streams and riparian vegetation, management of ecotourism, Aboriginal use of plants, the physiology and genetics of `resurrection plants' (plants able to withstand extreme drought by a form of dormancy and respond quickly to rain when it occurs) and education for biodiversity;⁷¹

qq) Melbourne University studies of use of native species within conventional farming systems, genetic changes in native daisies under seed-orchard conditions, cultivation techniques for native plants and properties of emu oil;⁷²

rr) La Trobe University has research on the impacts of tourism on alpine ecosystems and use of native plants to control dryland salinity; ⁷³

ss) Victoria University of Technology work on native food plants;⁷⁴ and

tt) Deakin University extensive studies on native-mammal biology and ecology as well as on the potential of aquatic organisms for use in detection of water pollution.⁷⁵

The eclectic nature of university research, particularly that undertaken by post-graduate students, makes it important from the point of view of ensuring that the potential for novel uses has a chance of being detected. University research can also address sustainability issues that are unlikely to attract industry funding.

However, the nature of university research is changing. Reduced resources and increasing reliance on industry grants are reducing the capacity of universities to undertake research, particularly long-term, fundamental and independent studies. Increasingly research is undertaken in collaboration with industry or government research institutes.

Private Bodies

A number of private research bodies exist in Victoria. The Committee inspected facilities of AMRAD Discoveries Technologies Pty Ltd, which was established in 1993. It acquires and screens molecules obtained from natural products for potential pharmaceutically active products. It targets plants and micro-organisms. It currently maintains samples of over 240,000 natural-product extracts.⁷⁶

Felton Grimwade and Bickford Pty Ltd, which manufactures a number of eucalyptus-oil products, undertakes its own research in purpose-built laboratories. The Committee learnt of in-house research being undertaken by small companies involved in the growing and processing of bushfoods. The Victorian Emu Industry Development Committee sponsors emu research.

National Bodies

The Victorian native flora and fauna industry also benefits from the work of a number of national research institutions.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is a statutory body funded by the Federal Government. It collects the basic data from which information relevant to the utilisation of native plants and animals can be obtained, including information on industry sectors and employment. It also collects additional information on request and payment of an appropriate fee, through `supplementary questions'.

The Bureau undertakes much of the analysis of its data, but other research bodies also analyse its data for specific purposes - for example the Bureau of Tourism Research and universities.⁷⁷

Bureau of Tourism Research

Considerable research has been undertaken into various aspects of tourism in Australia by the Bureau of Tourism Research. The Bureau is based in Canberra and is jointly funded by the federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources and State tourism bodies - in Victoria's case, Tourism Victoria.⁷⁸

The Bureau undertakes regular surveys of overseas and domestic tourist visits to Australia. It also surveys Australian households about their holiday intentions and undertakes other studies on contract. ⁷⁹

Analysis of survey data has provided information on many aspects of the demand side of tourism, its potential for growth and its value to Australia.⁸⁰ These surveys have identified attractions, including the native species (which are most important to tourists) and those localities most often visited.⁸¹ The character of ecotourism and interests of ecotourists have been studied.⁸² Tourists have been questioned about the importance they place on native species, other natural features of the landscape, and information on these features.⁸³

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

CSIRO has a charter to undertake research that serves to advance the long, as well as short-term sustainable development of agriculture and other industry in Australia. Sustainability is a central theme. While CSIRO's research is applied in its emphasis, it is always based on an understanding of the fundamental systems involved. CSIRO has been responsible for world-leading studies on the impacts of greenhouse gases on climate change, the ecology of weeds, processes involved in soil degradation and the ecology of many native Australian plants and animals.⁸⁴

CSIRO is funded by the Federal Government, research grants (from organisations such as the RIRDC), industry and earnings from royalties and consultancies.⁸⁵ A number of the consultancies are for overseas governments. An example is a study `Ectomycorrhizal Fungi for Eucalypt Plantations in China and Australia'.⁸⁶ Ectomycorrhizal fungi have symbiotic relationships with the root systems of a large proportion of Australian native plants. They play a key role in the plant's uptake of nutrients and are responsible for the capacity of many native plants to grow on nutritionally poor soils. Supplying the appropriate species of fungi to plantation-grown native species can greatly increase yields and reduce dependence on fertilisers.

CSIRO frequently undertakes its research in partnership with private companies, universities or government agencies. The Committee observed research undertaken in this way at the Waite Institute in Adelaide.

Several of CSIRO's divisions are undertaking research relevant to the utilisation of native plants and animals. Areas include:

uu) `Insect Bioprospecting' - a joint venture with BioDiscoveries Ltd aimed at "collecting samples of insects and developing a library of extracts from them. The extracts are then screened for biologically active compounds that benefit human health or crop and animal production";⁸⁷

vv) `Aquaculture' (environmental management, breeding, nutrition);⁸⁸

ww) `Conservation Biology and Utilisation of the Australian Flora';⁸⁹

xx) `Australian Flora Resource Management';⁹⁰

yy) `Tourism';⁹¹ and

zz) `Pesticide Bioremediation'.⁹²

CSIRO also has an important coordinating function. Projects such as its `Biodiversity Informatics' aim to integrate information from many sources on biodiversity, species distribution and ecology.⁹³

It has recently established a `Multidivisional Program'.⁹⁴ The object of this is to assess the native plants, animals and micro-organisms contained in extensive collections that were obtained for a diversity of projects, for their potential in the production of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and nutrachemicals (dietary supplements with health benefits). Because the potential is enormous and resources are limited, the focus in this program is on a few key areas - for example pharmaceutical investigations are aimed at specific cancers.⁹⁵ The difficult issue of choosing targets has been done in terms of national priorities. Existing knowledge, access to species for investigation and legal constraints provided an initial filter on possible projects. Priorities have been identified through consultation with industry.

The Committee was told that CSIRO's Multidivisional Program cannot be expected to do more than identify a few of the potential uses of native species. The hope is that the work of this program will provide a model of how integrated and targeted research can be undertaken. However, it is early days for the project and its potential has yet to be realised.

Coordinating Bodies

The Committee has described the coordinating function of CSIRO. The importance of providing coordination and direction to research is recognised by both governments and the research bodies themselves. Several organisations have been established to facilitate the coordination of targeted research. The Committee investigated two that have particular relevance to this Inquiry.

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) was set up as a statutory corporation in July 1991. The Corporation supports a range of research programs aimed at advancing sustainable industries based on Australia's aquatic resources.⁹⁶ The Corporation recognises that sustainable use of aquatic resources depends, in part, on managing ecosystems. Its objective is, therefore, to meet the challenge posed by:

The [current] poor understanding of how fisheries ecosystems work and how their use - or other disturbances or economic activity - affect them ... including how to improve the selectivity of fishing methods, how to minimise environmental harm caused by fishing gear, and how to maximise the use of bycatch.⁹⁷

The Corporation encourages operational links between research institutions and funding bodies.⁹⁸ In selecting projects to be supported it also takes advice from relevant management agencies and industry sectors. As a result, the research supported by the Corporation is usually closely related to the immediate commercial needs of industry. It is the Corporation's expectation that involvement of stakeholders will also lead to effective implementation of the results of the research that it supports.⁹⁹

The majority of projects supported by the Corporation are concerned with marine or estuarine fisheries.¹⁰⁰ Some of their research is relevant to freshwater species, for example:

aaa) studies of the nutritional benefits of fish oils;¹⁰¹

bbb) assessment of juvenile eel resources in south-eastern Australia (research undertaken by the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Victoria);

ccc) description of the biology and an assessment of the fishery for adult long-finned eel fisheries;

ddd) development of an artificial neural network for automated age estimation (research undertaken by the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Victoria); and

eee) optimising the efficiency of enforcement in commercial fisheries.¹⁰²

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) is a statutory body established under the Federal Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act (1989).¹⁰³ Its charter is to coordinate, manage and fund priority research for Australian rural industries and translate results into practical outcomes for industry.¹⁰⁴ It works closely with rural industries on the selection, organisation and funding of research and development. As expressed by RIRDC:

[Its] business is about new [rural] products and services and new and better ways of producing them. ¹⁰⁵

Work is undertaken by established researchers, often staff of government agencies, universities or CSIRO. Collaboration between research bodies is encouraged and commitment by the research organisations involved to provide significant funds or in-kind support is often required.¹⁰⁶ In this way the RIRDC has fostered applied research. It has been a key catalyst in the rejuvenation of interest in alternative agricultural products, including those based on native species. The initiation and viability of many State programs have relied on RIRDC funding.

The Corporation has played a key role in the development of wildflower industries by establishing a range of research, development and extension activities, including an investment of $4.1 million nationally in its wildflower and native-plants program since 1991-92.¹⁰⁷

Other funded areas of research and development that are related to native flora and fauna include:

fff) commercial use of wild animals in Australia;¹⁰⁸

ggg) pharmaceutical application of products;¹⁰⁹

hhh) impact of government policies on native species industries;¹¹⁰

iii) marketing issues;¹¹¹

jjj) economic issues;¹¹²

kkk) farming (including aquaculture) of native animals;¹¹³ and

lll) native plants for cropping.¹¹⁴

The RIRDC also organises conferences and workshops as a mechanism for stimulating and directing research as well as integrating and disseminating information.¹¹⁵

Corporation-funded programs now require an industry contribution of 25 per cent and greater industry contribution to research is advocated by the Corporation.¹¹⁶ It is also promoting an innovative approach to research through its `Do Our Own Research Project' programs. Such programs empower growers and propagators, providing them with the skills to undertake their own research. This reduces their dependency on advisers and consultants. It helps them to appreciate better the application of research to their specific situation and tailor it to their needs. To date there has been minimal uptake of the program by Victorian producers.¹¹⁷

Cooperative Research Centres

Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) provide coordination and focus for research and research extension. They receive funding from the Federal Government in recognition that, by bringing together strategic research, they value-add to individual research products. CRCs are commonly organised on the basis of `nodes', or groups located within a particular region. The benefits of financial or other contributions are amplified through CRCs by matching federal grants and synergisms that are produced by coordinated, well-planned and focussed research and development.¹¹⁸

Several CRCs are involved with research that is relevant to the utilisation of native species.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism was established a little over two years ago to provide strategic research and information for the tourist industry in Australia.¹¹⁹ Its headquarters are at Griffith University in southern Queensland. Some of its work relates to native species-based tourism. Examples are Best Practice Environmental Management for Nature Tourism on Public Lands and International and Domestic Market Analysis of Wildlife Tourism. These are being undertaken by Griffith University.

None of the CRCs' tourism projects on nature-based tourism are based in Victoria. There is a Victorian `node', but this is focussed on `events tourism'.¹²⁰ According to the Director of this `node', this is basically a response to the interests of the associated Victorian organisations. Should these organisations see a need for research and development in nature-based tourism the `node' could expand its activities in that direction. ¹²¹

The CRC for Food Industry Innovation and that for Freshwater Ecology are the other two centres which have the greatest capacity to facilitate collaborative work on utilisation and sustainability of native species. The former fosters research into, among other things, the development of novel food colours, flavours and ingredients from micro-organisms - it is based at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. The latter centre is a consortium of five organisations including Monash and La Trobe universities.¹²²

Selected Interstate and International Bodies

University of Adelaide

On its study tour to South Australia, the Committee learnt of an array of research being undertaken by the Adelaide University, particularly through its affiliated Waite Research Institute. Much of this research is being carried out in collaboration with the State government agency, Primary Industries and Resources South Australia.

Programs included:

mmm) basic taxonomic research - for instance into kelps;¹²³

nnn) industry trends and sustainability - for example, studies on the King Island kelp industry;¹²⁴

ooo) applied management programs - for example the preparation of seagrass management plans;¹²⁵

ppp) selection, propagation and pruning techniques of banksias for cut-flower production;¹²⁶

qqq) propagation of eucalypts for cut flowers, and associated research into, for example, controlled pollination and storage techniques;¹²⁷ and

rrr) eucalyptus essential oils research, including species and genetic selection, large-scale planting and harvesting techniques, and land-rehabilitation applications.¹²⁸

Plant Research Centre, Waite Institute, South Australia

The South Australian Government appears to place great emphasis on research as the precursor of agricultural activity. The Plant Research Centre is a collaborative effort between the Adelaide University, CSIRO and the Department of Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia. The development of new cultivars of native plants has been a focus of research for a number of years - this type of research has been found to require adequate resources and time. Some 45 per cent of the Centre's funds are sourced from industry and there is a close relationship with growers.

Current areas of research (being undertaken by Ms Gayle Barth) include:

sss) cultivar and production development of the Sturt desert pea;

ttt) cultivar development of Geraldton wax;

uuu) field assessment, yield increase and plant-line development of Ixodia - for cut flowers and pot plants;

vvv) production techniques - hot-house technology, hydroponics, etc.; and

www) screening of Banksia cossinea and Eucalypt spp.

Marketing research is an integral part of industry-development research.¹²⁹

According to the Dean of Agriculture, University of Adelaide, South Australia's history of collaborative research and development is perhaps the key lesson of that State's high level of success in developing agriculture South Australia.¹³⁰ The Waite Institute has played a large part in South Australia's research and development of natural resources. It has:

xxx) a history of collaboration, which has produced a culture of cooperation;

yyy) the purpose-built Waite Institute precinct has facilitated successful collaboration; and

zzz) location of research staff and facilities on the basis of project rather than employer organisation facilitates effective collaboration and efficient use of staff and resources.

Aquatic Sciences Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute

The Committee visited the Aquatic Sciences Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to obtain information on their aquaculture programs.

The South Australian Research and Development Institute is a business group of the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Resources. Its research activities include studies related to aquaculture and wild-harvest of inland fish species. It also acknowledged that adequate knowledge on which to base management is not available yet for most native species.¹³¹ However, together with industry, the South Australian Government has developed strategic research and development plans in relation to its aquatic resources.

The Institute is actively involved in communicating results of its work to clients. It has client managers who mentor new entrants to the industry.

South Australia's freshwater aquaculture is expanding. The vigorous research and development that supports this industry, allied to an affirmative government policy, appear to be key contributors to its success. The main South Australian aquaculture species are yabby, marron, barramundi and Murray cod.

Israeli Case Study

The Committee had opportunity to inspect a number of Israeli research institutions and field stations during its study tour of the country early in 1999.

The Committee discovered that Israel has an attitude of nurturing research and development (Israel has 145 engineers and scientists per 10,000 employers compared with the Australian ratio of 60 per 10,000 employees). The Committee was told of Israeli studies suggesting that there is a return to Israel's economy of 2.6 shekels (the Israeli dollar) for each shekel invested in agricultural research.

The Israeli Government, in collaboration with industry, plays a strong role in providing both clear direction and funding for research. As far as agricultural research is concerned, the driving incentive has been to create productive agriculture from a semi-arid environment - because the nation saw this as necessary for its survival. Notable successes described to the Committee were the development of irrigation systems and arid-zone agriculture. Molecular biology and genetic engineering are focal areas for current research. The objective is to create higher-quality products and higher yields.

Horticultural research includes the evaluation of new cropping species (some species derived from Australia) and the manipulation of planting and flowering dates. Increasing export potential is the key aim (especially to take advantage of the poor flower-growing season during the Northern Hemisphere winter).

The Committee noticed Australian wildflowers being grown at virtually all research centres and flower farms that it visited. They are sought because of market interest. Seeds of Australian wildflowers are obtained from naturally occurring sources, but patents are taken out by the Israeli research body on any Israeli improvements or new varieties.

Agricultural Research Structures

The Israeli Agricultural Research Organisation (ARO) - a public sector body - carries out approximately 75 per cent of agricultural research in Israel. It incorporates seven institutes. Its role includes provision of extension services.

A Government Chief Scientist sets three-year `national interest' funding priorities. The Government pays for the buildings and the salaries. Research funds come from competitive bidding for public funding (from the Office of the Chief Scientist and from Production Councils), industry funding or international foundations or endowments. Private companies do not undertake in-house research.

Every farmer is legally required to contribute 0.6 per cent of income to the `Production Councils', which are made up of equal representation of farmers, scientists and extension officers, who fund research according to defined priorities. In addition to the farmers' levy, flower farmers, through a `Flower Production Council', invest additional monies into research.

The Agricultural Research Organisation also undertakes mariculture research - including a project to introduce Australian freshwater crayfish to Israeli aquaculture. The Agricultural Research Organisation has a tradition of international joint projects as well. The Agricultural Research Organisation told the Committee that it is interested in joint projects with Australian scientists.¹³²

An integral part of the Israeli agricultural research program is a series of regional field research stations. The field research stations are very much focussed on applying and creating research data to meet local farming needs. For instance the development of brackish water-irrigation techniques is a key area of research at the Ramat Negev Desert Agro-research Centre, which services an area where freshwater supply is extremely limiting. Research included that into production methods for Australian wildflowers. This approach ensures close links between researchers and farmers, and facilitates the dissemination of research findings to the users.

The field research stations are operated by consortia of various combinations of municipal government, non-government organisations (notably the Jewish National Fund - a non-government organisation that acts as the country's largest land management and development organisation), universities and the Ministry for Agriculture.

Issues

The Committee notes that there are a number of relevant research programs in Victoria. However, the level of commitment to development of native Australian species that the Committee observed in both Israel and South Australia is not matched in Victoria.

Research that is being done is at times poorly coordinated and short term. The former concern is being addressed to some extent by the commitment to well-targeted research by CSIRO, bodies such as the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the various Collaborative Research Centres. The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture has prepared guidelines for integrated research for Australian fisheries and aquaculture.¹³³ The experience of these bodies makes it clear that, if research is to be efficient, it must be coordinated and focussed; but providing coordination and focus itself requires resources.¹³⁴

Involving stakeholders in the development and implementation of research programs is widely seen as the key to research that is relevant and effective. However, it can be difficult to identify all stakeholders and involving them in research programs.¹³⁵