2001 ANNUAL REPORT - Contents Page

Tracking Performance
PIERD Act Objectives – Meeting Them
S.74 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 1991 - Reporting

Addressing Government

Priorities

Sustainable Natural ResourceManagement

Whole of Industry Approach

Biotechnology

Increases in Trade and market access

Clean and Green

Food Safety

Improving Human Resources

On 14 December 1999, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry wrote to the Corporation identifying the above seven Government priorities for the Corporation
The priorities were reiterated in May 2001 by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon. Judith Troeth:
… the RDCs must recognise the continuing role of the Minister in accounting to Parliament for the use of levy payer and taxpayer funds. The Parliament will never relent on this requirement which runs to the core of our constitution and democracy. - Source: Senator the Hon Judith Troeth, August 2000, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia.
. PIERD Act Objectives – Meeting Them
The objects of this Act are to make provision for the funding and administration of research and development relating to primary industries with a view to:

Legislation S.3 RIRDC Action

Increasing the economic, environmental and social benefits to members of primary industries and to the community in general by improving the production, processing, storage, transport or marketing of the products of primary industries; The major focus of RIRDC funded projects is in these areas. Each sub-program report includes details of the important results, which have been generated. However, some broader community impacts have been highlighted in summary form under ‘Addressing the Governments Priorities’. Particular examples are:

whole of industry approach to production, processing and marketing

maintenance of Australia’s clean green image

trade and market access

addressing food safety concerns of consumers

Achieving the sustainable use and sustainable management of natural resources; A significant share of RIRDC funded projects have addressed issues which have a major impact on sustainable use and management of Australia’s natural resource base. These range from major activities in agroforestry that aim to provide solutions to problems such as dryland salinity; to biodiversity projects in the rice industry; and the utilisation of wastes from rural industries. Details of these activities are listed under each programs outputs for the year.

Making more effective use of the resources and skills of the community in general and the scientific community in particular; RIRDC has an extensive set of projects, which aim to improve the human capital of both rural and research communities. These are discussed in detail under, for example sub-program 4.3.Examples are formal post graduate scholarship programs and leadership training programs, such as the Rural Women’s award program and the Rural Leadership Program

Improving accountability for expenditure upon research and development activities in relation to primary industries RIRDC pays significant attention to maintaining a transparent and accountable funding allocation process. This covers many areas, however, important examples are: the extensive R&D Advisory Committee system which combines industry and technical skills in the R&D prioritisation and project selection processes; annual reporting to stakeholders including industries bodies; assessments of stakeholder performance ratings and a detailed systematic benefit/cost impact evaluation program which assesses the rates of return to RIRDC’s investments.

S.74 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 - Reporting
Section 74 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 sets out requirements to be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report.
In a formal sense, our occupational health and safety policy framework is codified in the Staff General Terms and Conditions. These were reviewed in September 2000 and run for a two year period from 1 October 2000. Copies of the Staff General Terms and Conditions are available on request. No claims were lodged with Comcare in 2000/2001.
Our reporting against the requirements of S.74 for 2000/20001 is as follows:

Legislation S.74 RIRDC Action

Details of any agreement made with employees relating to occupational health and safety. See General Staff terms and Conditions, 1 October 2000 to 30 September 2002.

Details on any Committees established to deal with occupational health and safety. No formal committees. The Corporation only has 16 full time staff and we do not need specialist Committees. Our consultations include all staff.

Details of the selection of health and safety representatives. Mr Claudio Ciuffetelli is responsible for occupational health and safety issues.
Ms Keller and Ms Reeve have attended emergency first aid courses.

Measures taken during 2000/2001 to ensure health, safety and welfare at work. Glare guards for computer monitors were purchased for all staff.
Low voltage peronal desk heaters were also purchased for staff to ensure a comfortable working environment during the winter months.

Statistics on any accidents. Nil

Investigations conducted during the year that relate to undertakings given by employer. No undertakings given. As a tenant we have continued to seek confirmation about air quality systems from the building owner.
No directions or notices given to the Corporation.

S.516A of theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 -Reporting

Legislation S.516A RIRDC Action

How actions of the agency during the period accorded with the principles of ESD The Corporation manages a number of programs that specifically focus on improved economic and environmental outcomes. These include the Organics, Agroforestry and Resilient Agricultural Systems Programs.
The RIRDC project selection process for all programs specifically requires an assessment of whether prospective projects are likely to have a negative impact on sustainability or biodiversity. This criterion is second in a set of eight criteria that the Corporation uses to assess project applications and can lead to the rejection of a project if the research objectives, methodology and/or outcomes outlined in the application are judged to have adverse environmental consequences.

How the outcomes specified for the agency in the Appropriations Act contribute to ESD The outcome specified for the Corporation is to facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector. It contributes to ESD by recognising the need for research outputs that integrate economic, environmental and social objectives.

The effect of the agency’s actions on the environment The Corporation’s charter is to make and manage research investments. Impacts of this activity on the environment are sometimes difficult to attribute and may be subject to long response times. Some key impacts are the following.
Publication of interim Guidelines for biodiversity conservation in new and existing softwood plantations and Native regrowth: A farmers guide to maintaining biodiversity when thinning regrowth forest is increasing awareness among land managers of the potential to increase biodiversity values through well designed farm forestry systems and through the management of private native forests.
Employment of a national Bioenergy Australia Manager and publication of Biomass Energy and Products is increasing interest and awareness of bioenergy as a sustainable energy source.
Publication of reports such as Trees, Water and Salt: An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchments and productive farms and the Farm Forestry Site Selection Manual will lead to agroforestry systems that are more effective in reducing groundwater recharge and addressing salinity.
Continued support for the development of environmental management systems (EMS) has the potential to provide producers with a new tool for integrating best practice environmental management into their farming systems.
The collection, evaluation and dispersal of information that can be used by the poultry industry to enhance its environmental performance will contribute particularly to odour control from chicken grow-out farms and to the management of farm and hatchery wastes.
Research into integrated pest management (IPM) for a range of crops in new and emerging industries is contributing to reduced impact of pesticides on the environment.
Research into sustainable farming systems in the rice industry is providing information that will assist growers in reducing groundwater recharge, managing acid soils and managing farm biodiversity.

Measures the agency is taking to minimise the impact of actions by the agency on the environment The Corporation’s research and development project agreement requires a specific assessment of the potential for environmental damage to result from a project. Applicants must alert the Corporation to any proposal that may be considered an "environmentally significant action".

Mechanisms for reviewing and increasing the effectiveness of the above measures The Corporation reports to the Federal Government after each Board meeting and publishes most final reports. This transparency facilitates stakeholder input to our operations and the application of ESD principles.

Addressing Government Priorities

Sustainable Natural Resource Management

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Sustainable management and use of our soil, water, air, vegetation and fauna resources integrated into farming and land use systems Publication of report on Environmental Partnerships: Combining Sustainability and Commercial Advantage in the Commercial Sector.
Support for the second conference on accreditation of Environment Management Systems.
Commercialisation of substances that bioremediate Pyrethroid contaminated wastes.
Commercialisation of Distichlis for rehabilitation of highly saline areas for grain, turf and grazing.
Publication of book Farming Beyond 2000: Systems Theory for Sustainable Development and Food Security. The book describes key emerging theories and principles that will underpin farming systems as they evolve in the 21st century.
Production of reports such as Trees, Water and Salt: An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchments and productive farms and the Farm Forestry Site Selection Manual to facilitate capacity building at a regional level.
Facilitate, coordinate and support research projects investigating potential new industries and environmental services from trees in low rainfall areas.
Continue to support and facilitate R&D to investigate the impact of agroforestry and farm forestry systems on biophysical processes - in particular biodiversity.
Continue to support nationally coordinated R&D into the use of agroforestry and farm forestry systems for bioenergy production.
Continue to collect, evaluate and disperse information that can be used by industry to enhance its environmental performance, particularly in the area of odour control from chicken grow-out farms and the management of farm and hatchery wastes.
Update an evaluation of the economic importance to the Australian economy of the pollination services provided by honeybees.
Increased emphasis on establishing a rigorous research base for bio-diversity and fauna assessment and management in rice producing areas.
Development of a new effort to determine effective weed control in the white clover industry.
Improved water use management for lucerne seed production by improved measurement of water balance information.

Whole of Industry Approach

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

A whole of industry approach to production, processing and marketing to ensure the chain works to its best advantage An integrated activity linked with farmer organisations which aims to convert value chain information into producer-based actions.
Report on improving the quality of Asian vegetables, including issues relating to post-harvest handling and packaging.
Development of tourist markets for value added velvet antler and venison co-products.
Expand the Deer Industry Quality Assurance program via reaccreditation and retraining industry QA facilitators and encourage the adoption of industry Quality Assurance Brand Marks.
Further extend the range of essential oils and plant extracts for which information is available on markets, production, harvesting and post harvest handling.
Study the value-chain of eggs and egg products.
Assist in the identification and development of new value-added egg products including those with non-food applications.
Increase emphasis on post-farmgate issues through investigation of novel rice based products, improved storage technologies and the consideration of the pharmaceutical/nutraceutical properties of rice.
A major effort to expand the objective measurement system for fodder to silage and also to include new measures of palatability.
Detailed investigation of the existence and consequences of market power in the food processing/food-retailing sector.
· An assessment of whether there has been a consistent error in world population predictions and if so what the implications are likely to be for Australian agriculture.

Biotechnology

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Development of biotechnology, along with sensitive handling to accommodate consumers’ concerns · An analysis of the consequences for Australian exporters of biotechnology adoption and differences in government policy responses to this new innovation around the world.
· Review of the farm and resource management issues relating to genetically modified plants.
· Advance the next stage of biotechnology research using functional genomics to support the longer-term development of the rice industry in Australia, as these technologies become appropriate.
· Start new projects on wide hybridization in the Chamelaucium alliance; Australian cutflower "best bets"; and new varieties of Leucadendron.
· Continue a new phase for the rice breeding and quality evaluation program, which will place significant emphasis on improved quality using more advanced quality assessment and breeding technologies, for example, genetic markers.
· Green paper on new genetic technologies and the significance of these for the Australian horse industry.
· Completed tests on the efficacy of a newly developed recombinant vaccine against herpes virus infection in horses.

Increases in Trade and Market Access

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Trade and market access negotiations · A series of trade policy analyses and reports which consider: the implications of trade reforms on bank lending in developing countries; the costs and benefits of preferential trade access for developing countries; and the environmental effects of global agricultural subsidies.
· Assess the implications of domestic and international economic policy issues on the Australian egg industry.
· Investigation of a new approach to the control of varroa mites which a the major threat to the honeybee industry and pollinated crops.
· Australian poultry flocks are considered to be free from very virulent forms of infectious bursal disease virus. Research will be undertaken to confirm Australia’s status in this respect and to develop the tools that would be needed to identify any incursions of vvIBDV into the country and to differentiate such viruses from the genetically distinct Australian forms of the virus so that appropriate control measures can be implemented in a timely manner.

Clean and Green

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Maintenance and enhancement of our clean green image · Documentation of organic crop and pasture systems for southeast Australia.
· National Organic Conference supported by organic industry and traditional agriculture.
· Documentation of organic practices with wider significance to science or agriculture.
· Further identification of sustainable weed management practices for organic herb and vegetable production.
· Review of Organic Polycultural Systems: design principles, risks and benefits.
· Develop new initiatives on the use of tea tree oil in agriculture.
· Continue to work with the poultry industry to provide the tools and programs necessary to re-establish Australia’s favourable status as free of Newcastle disease.
· Further enhance the use of rotational weed management practices to enhance management tools to avoid herbicide resistance and also increase understanding of the biology of major weeds to improve the chance that non-chemical controls can be developed in the future.
· Information on exotic diseases of relevance to the Australian horse industry, in a format showing relevance to all in the horse industry.

Food Safety

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Addressing food safety concerns of consumers · Significant investments in new animal product food safety R&D.
· Undertake research to determine the minimum residue limits for pesticides in essential oils.
· Undertake further work on tea tree oil-related efficacy and safety issues in human health.
· Develop and evaluate alternative approaches to antimicrobial substances for the control of necrotic enteritis and for the maintenance of optimal growth performance in meat chickens.
· Progress the development of nutritional strategies for optimising lean meat deposition in meat chickens by manipulating the fatty acid profile of their diets.
· Seek new approaches to minimising the levels of Campylobacter spp., which can be associated with food-borne illness in humans, on poultry meat products through an improved understanding of how flocks become colonised with this organism in the field and the development and evaluation of intervention strategies.
· Assess the long-term impact to the industry, consumers, the community and the environment of a move away from traditional cage systems and/or to decrease stocking densities in cages.
· Several research activities which will improve knowledge of the nutritional value of eggs and egg products.
· Research to improve the several aspects of the food safety of eggs and egg products.

Improving our Human Resources

Government’s Priority RIRDC Action

Cultivating creativity and innovation among our human resources · A farmers’ guide to the use of e-commerce in agriculture.
· A report on interactive internet support for farmers to work with scientists.
· Continued production of Rural Australia Online newsletter.
· Projects with other R & D Corporations and agencies on innovating and developing human capacity in rural industries.
· A report on indigenous participation in rural learning for rangeland sustainability.
· Publication and communication of a series on Options for Change for Farming People: Doing Things Differently that explores many of the key business development options available to farming families.
· A report which identifies the social needs of youth and strategies to encourage youth to remain in rural communities.
· A report which identifies strategies for enhancing the leadership role of schools in rural communities.
· A leadership training course for youth winners of ABC Heywire competition.
· Training resources for farm machinery safety.
· A report which reviews regulation of farm machinery safety.
· A report on the comparison between different approaches to farm injury prevention in Victoria and Queensland.
· A new Rural Women’s Award will be launched.
· Two Australian Rural Leadership Program scholarships will be awarded.
· Release of training curriculum developed to facilitate the adoption of organic systems.
· Assist the egg industry in developing and implementing training materials.

Links

Legislation S.3	RIRDC Action
Increasing the economic, environmental and social benefits to members of primary industries and to the community in general by improving the production, processing, storage, transport or marketing of the products of primary industries;		The major focus of RIRDC funded projects is in these areas. Each sub-program report includes details of the important results, which have been generated. However, some broader community impacts have been highlighted in summary form under ‘Addressing the Governments Priorities’. Particular examples are: whole of industry approach to production, processing and marketing maintenance of Australia’s clean green image trade and market access addressing food safety concerns of consumers
Achieving the sustainable use and sustainable management of natural resources;		A significant share of RIRDC funded projects have addressed issues which have a major impact on sustainable use and management of Australia’s natural resource base. These range from major activities in agroforestry that aim to provide solutions to problems such as dryland salinity; to biodiversity projects in the rice industry; and the utilisation of wastes from rural industries. Details of these activities are listed under each programs outputs for the year.
Making more effective use of the resources and skills of the community in general and the scientific community in particular;		RIRDC has an extensive set of projects, which aim to improve the human capital of both rural and research communities. These are discussed in detail under, for example sub-program 4.3.Examples are formal post graduate scholarship programs and leadership training programs, such as the Rural Women’s award program and the Rural Leadership Program
Improving accountability for expenditure upon research and development activities in relation to primary industries		RIRDC pays significant attention to maintaining a transparent and accountable funding allocation process. This covers many areas, however, important examples are: the extensive R&D Advisory Committee system which combines industry and technical skills in the R&D prioritisation and project selection processes; annual reporting to stakeholders including industries bodies; assessments of stakeholder performance ratings and a detailed systematic benefit/cost impact evaluation program which assesses the rates of return to RIRDC’s investments.

Legislation S.74	RIRDC Action
Details of any agreement made with employees relating to occupational health and safety.	See General Staff terms and Conditions, 1 October 2000 to 30 September 2002.
Details on any Committees established to deal with occupational health and safety.	No formal committees. The Corporation only has 16 full time staff and we do not need specialist Committees. Our consultations include all staff.
Details of the selection of health and safety representatives.	Mr Claudio Ciuffetelli is responsible for occupational health and safety issues. Ms Keller and Ms Reeve have attended emergency first aid courses.
Measures taken during 2000/2001 to ensure health, safety and welfare at work.	Glare guards for computer monitors were purchased for all staff. Low voltage peronal desk heaters were also purchased for staff to ensure a comfortable working environment during the winter months.
Statistics on any accidents.	Nil
Investigations conducted during the year that relate to undertakings given by employer.	No undertakings given. As a tenant we have continued to seek confirmation about air quality systems from the building owner. No directions or notices given to the Corporation.

Legislation S.516A	RIRDC Action
How actions of the agency during the period accorded with the principles of ESD		The Corporation manages a number of programs that specifically focus on improved economic and environmental outcomes. These include the Organics, Agroforestry and Resilient Agricultural Systems Programs. The RIRDC project selection process for all programs specifically requires an assessment of whether prospective projects are likely to have a negative impact on sustainability or biodiversity. This criterion is second in a set of eight criteria that the Corporation uses to assess project applications and can lead to the rejection of a project if the research objectives, methodology and/or outcomes outlined in the application are judged to have adverse environmental consequences.
How the outcomes specified for the agency in the Appropriations Act contribute to ESD		The outcome specified for the Corporation is to facilitate a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector. It contributes to ESD by recognising the need for research outputs that integrate economic, environmental and social objectives.
The effect of the agency’s actions on the environment		The Corporation’s charter is to make and manage research investments. Impacts of this activity on the environment are sometimes difficult to attribute and may be subject to long response times. Some key impacts are the following. Publication of interim Guidelines for biodiversity conservation in new and existing softwood plantations and Native regrowth: A farmers guide to maintaining biodiversity when thinning regrowth forest is increasing awareness among land managers of the potential to increase biodiversity values through well designed farm forestry systems and through the management of private native forests. Employment of a national Bioenergy Australia Manager and publication of Biomass Energy and Products is increasing interest and awareness of bioenergy as a sustainable energy source. Publication of reports such as Trees, Water and Salt: An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchments and productive farms and the Farm Forestry Site Selection Manual will lead to agroforestry systems that are more effective in reducing groundwater recharge and addressing salinity. Continued support for the development of environmental management systems (EMS) has the potential to provide producers with a new tool for integrating best practice environmental management into their farming systems. The collection, evaluation and dispersal of information that can be used by the poultry industry to enhance its environmental performance will contribute particularly to odour control from chicken grow-out farms and to the management of farm and hatchery wastes. Research into integrated pest management (IPM) for a range of crops in new and emerging industries is contributing to reduced impact of pesticides on the environment. Research into sustainable farming systems in the rice industry is providing information that will assist growers in reducing groundwater recharge, managing acid soils and managing farm biodiversity.
Measures the agency is taking to minimise the impact of actions by the agency on the environment		The Corporation’s research and development project agreement requires a specific assessment of the potential for environmental damage to result from a project. Applicants must alert the Corporation to any proposal that may be considered an "environmentally significant action".
Mechanisms for reviewing and increasing the effectiveness of the above measures		The Corporation reports to the Federal Government after each Board meeting and publishes most final reports. This transparency facilitates stakeholder input to our operations and the application of ESD principles.