17 Feb 2023 – Dr Joe Smith Reappointed as ABCA Chair
DR JOE SMITH REAPPOINTED AS ABCA CHAIR
The executive of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) is delighted to announce that Dr Joe Smith has accepted another term as Chair for a two-year period.
A former national Gene Technology Regulator, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and Director of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Laboratories, Dr Smith is also 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.
During his time in the role over the past 12 months, Dr Smith has provided strong leadership to ABCA, underpinned by his high-level regulatory scientific expertise. His leadership has ensured ABCA continues to provide credible, balanced and science-based information about the current and potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology for the nation’s farming sector.
ABCA encourages informed debate about agricultural biotechnology and the innovations derived from it so that the public and particularly primary producers can make well-informed decisions about the future application of biotechnology in Australia. With his extensive and distinguished career leading key Australian regulatory authorities, ABCA is delighted to have Dr Smith at the helm of these discussions.
“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,” concluded Dr Smith.