Fed: Farmers should cash in on medical crops: report

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2000
Fed: Farmers should cash in on medical crops: report

Scientists believe the paddy melon weed may be used to combat tinea and ringworm.

A Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation report also suggests the weeds
St John's wort and Devil's claw could have a place in a major expansion of Australia's
pharmaceutical crops.

The manufacture of medicinal and pharmaceutical products has grown from $4.6 billion
in 1997/1998 to $6 billion last financial year.

Report author DAVID MICHAEL says the new Australian crops would either be vitamin supplements,
form the basis of new drugs, or be health foods in their own right.

The report also earmarks oats, soybeans, canola, kangaroo meat and some sea plants
as ready for development.

It suggests more research go into plants that have industrial uses, such as the gum
from wattles (as a possible glue), the nuts from mangoes (that have potential as a fat
substitute) and nine varieties of gum trees that have properties that inhibit root growth.

The RIRDC believes the qualities of many native plants in medicines or pharmaceuticals
could be a way of encouraging greater participation in agriculture by Aborigines.

AAP RTV sw/daw/alt/et

KEYWORD: PHARMACEUTICAL (CANBERRA)

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