The executive of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) has announced that Dr Joe Smith has accepted another term as chair for two years.
A former national Gene Technology Regulator, CEO of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and director of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Laboratories, Dr Smith is also the current President of the International Society for Biosafety Research.
During the past year, he chaired an industry roundtable discussion about current issues in agricultural biotechnology, including the state of regulation in Australia.
Dr Smith also attended the AusBiotech Life Sciences Conference in Perth, to deliver a keynote address on developments, significant opportunities to harness, and challenges to tackle in agricultural biotechnology in Australia.
ABCA said Dr Smith's leadership has ensured it continues to provide credible, balanced and science-based information about the current and potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology for the nation's farming sector.
"It's an honour to be able to continue to serve the sector at a time of great opportunity for agriculture and food security," said Dr Smith.
"It's vital that the Australian farming sector can access and adopt new technologies in an environment where there is good awareness of the science and the benefits it can deliver. For this to happen there needs to be open and transparent dialogue."
