April 3, 2003

One of CSIRO's largest and most successful research alliance's has now been extended indefinitely in an agreement that will deliver benefits to farmers and grow Australia's research and development capabilities.

The agreement, finalised last week between CSIRO and Bayer CropScience, will build on the existing successful relationship of the organisations to develop modern biotechnology tools applicable to cotton and other crops.

"The success of our alliance with Bayer CropScience is based on our common commitment to strategic and fundamental research that leads to innovative and valuable scientific discoveries," says Dr Jim Peacock, Chief of CSIRO Plant Industry.

For Bayer CropScience, the alliance with CSIRO is regarded as a model for global co-operation. "This alliance is one of the most successful and important collaborative research activities our company is undertaking", says Dr Bernard Convent, global head of BioScience Research for Bayer CropScience.

First established in 1998 the alliance has already seen some significant scientific advances including innovations in the control of insect pests, cotton fibre development and the mechanisms that control seed development.

As these discoveries are further developed, the benefits to cotton growers will include new cotton varieties that reduce the need for insecticides, have higher and more reliable yields, and produce a higher quality product.

"In the pipeline we have some cotton breeding lines with improved insect resistance that are being commercially evaluated - and with this new agreement we can expect to see many more similar developments" says Dr Peacock.

CSIRO and Bayer CropScience have also delivered valuable intellectual property and knowledge that will provide a platform for future research and patenting opportunities that will ultimately reap rewards for Australian and global R & D and benefits for Australia's farmers.

"Our Bayer CropScience alliance has fostered many joint projects, successful collaborations and the exchange of scientists between organisations to share and develop research ideas," says Dr Peacock.

"We look forward to continuing this top quality research collaboration leading to innovative developments and products."