Govt boosts disease resistant oyster fund

Scientists will be given almost $1 million of federal money to develop a strain of oysters resistant to a disease hurting the Tasmanian industry.

Malcolm Turnbull looks at Tasmanian oysters on the Hobart waterfront

The federal government are committed to help fight a disease crippling Tasmania's oyster industry. (AAP)

The federal government has committed almost $1 million to help fight a recurring disease crippling Tasmania's oyster industry, which produces more than 95 per cent of the nation's stock.

Assistant agriculture minister Senator Anne Ruston said the coalition has earmarked $984,455 for a selective breeding research program to develop an oyster strain resistant to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome.

"An effective long-term solution is to breed oysters that do not feel the effects of this disease," she said on Tuesday. The funding adds to $1.47 million granted to the state government in April to support growers.


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Published 31 May 2016 11:20am
Source: AAP


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