“It is timely now to integrate the issues for agriculture in the complex issue of reducing carbon emissions that are the direct cause of climate change,” Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST) Qld Division president, David Lloyd, said.

“Farmers, agronomists, agribusinesses, scientists and other interested parties should take the opportunity to attend this symposium, as these issues are critical for all of these rural stakeholders.”

David Lloyd said following the first Garnaut climate change report, this was an ideal time to hold this symposium.

AIAST, in conjunction with Commonwealth Bank AgriBusiness, will present the symposium, to be called ‘Challenges and opportunities for agriculture in a changing carbon economy’.

Mr Lloyd said the symposium boasts a “who’s who” of leading speakers to discuss issues of science, the economy and policy.

The keynote address ‘Implications of climate change and the effect on the economy, with particular reference to agriculture’ will be presented by Professor John Quiggin from the University of Queensland.

Other presentations will include:

• ‘Issues of climate change and carbon science’ by Dr Craig Miller from CSIRO and Dr Ram Dalal from Natural Resources and Water

• ‘Issues of policy’ by Drew Wagner from AgForce

• ‘Emerging use of food products to produce biofuels’ by Dr Deborah O’Connell from CSIRO and

• ‘Adaptation, mitigation and technology for the future’ by Professor Snow Barlow from the University of Melbourne.

There will also be a forum with an expert panel, including:

• All the above speakers

• Professor Peter Grace from Queensland University of Technology

• Karen Schneider from the Bureau of Rural Sciences in Canberra and

• Associate Professor Colin Birch from the University of Tasmania.

* More information: www.aiast.com.au. or contact Karin Schiller from AIAST on 02 6163 8122.