OVERVIEW OF SUGARCANE INDUSTRY BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS

AN ESSENTIAL part of the CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology’s (CRC SIIB) activities has been engaging with industry personnel to raise their awareness of new opportunities available through biotechnology. In 2008 and 2009, the CRC SIIB and the Sugarcane Gene Technology Group (SGTG) ran a series of workshops for industry personnel from all parts of the supply chain to provide information about biotechnology issues, particularly relating to sugarcane, with a focus on research, commercialisation and marketing considerations within Australia and overseas. Each year, workshops were held in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Bundaberg and Murwillumbah. Presenters from the CRC SIIB, CSIRO Plant Industry, Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited (AFAA), BSES Limited, SGTG and Beet Sugar Development Foundation, USA, were involved in delivering the workshops. In 2008, more than 90% of respondents to the post-workshop evaluation agreed that the workshop provided balanced and credible gene technology information in an easy to understand manner. A majority of respondents said the workshop gave them sufficient knowledge to engage in the GM debate with colleagues, growers, industry groups and others. In both years, several participants commented that the workshops should be open and available to all members of the supply chain rather than by invitation only.