Melbourne, 16 January 2023 – At a time where Australia is experiencing wild weather, regional centres and rural communities are being cut off from major arterial highways and families struggle to put food on the table, Bayer says science needs to be part of the solution to address food security, access and affordability of food.

Over the past decade, Bayer has invested 20 billion euro globally to help protect crops and modify seeds to grow faster, longer lasting, and tastier fruit and vegetables. The global organisation’s Australian arm has been working with farmers across the country to find ways that science can help build resilient crops against climate change, particularly amid a third consecutive La Niña. 

Warren Inwood, Managing Director of the Crop Science division of Bayer in Australia and New Zealand said that Australia needs to think differently about how food is grown as weather events become more and more common, and that begins with science.

“By using science to better inform decisions about how, when and where we grow our foods, we reduce the impact of adverse weather, thereby making food supply more consistent and more reliable. If we can protect our crops from the impacts of climate change, we can minimise fluctuations in cost at the supermarket and the growing cost of living.”

Bayer recently made a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture Inquiry into food security in Australia and has outlined key recommendations to the Albanese-led government. 

Mr Inwood said that Bayer’s submission has highlighted the role that science has played in establishing Australian food security today, as well as its importance in our continued ability to feed ourselves and the world. 

“Securing food supply will not get any easier – there is no new land to open up to cultivation, water resources are under continued pressure, and new pests and diseases will threaten our biosecurity as a result of climate change and international trade. 
“Innovation will pave the way forward, but we must ensure that everyone has access. We offer recommendations to both modernise and harmonise our local regulatory and policy settings in gene technology and biosecurity, which would allow Australian growers access to world-class innovation while protecting our unique natural resources. 

“In terms of strengthening local supply chains for critical inputs, Bayer’s unique role in onshore formulation of breakthrough crop protection products helps mitigate the impacts of global disruption, and investment in local skills could build industry resilience and help farmers get what they need from a trusted source,” he said.

Bayer’s full submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture Inquiry into food security in Australia is available on the Crop Science Australia website.

About Bayer 
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care, nutrition and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. The company has operated in Australia since 1925 and has a long-term commitment to the health and nutrition of all Australians. Locally, Bayer currently employs almost 900 people across the country and is dedicated to servicing the needs of rural and remote communities. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. For more information, go to crop.bayer.com.au 

Contact:
Lachlan Bird, phone +61 407 885 209
Email: lachlan.bird@bayer.com

Forward-Looking Statements 
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.