A new industry group, the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) has been formed to promote and encourage debate on the use of biotechnology and gene technology in agriculture in Australia. The bodies collaborating to form the council are AusBiotech, CropLife Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation and the National Farmers' Federation. The council will be chaired by Claude Gauchat, who is Managing Director of direct2, a company that advises on reputation management.