A new Monsanto Biotechnology Research Centre has been set up in Toowoomba. This new research centre will develop new drought and pest resistant cotton varieties for Australian conditions, says Manager, Stewart Addison.

A new cotton research facility on southern Queensland''s Darling Downs should help the Australian industry achieve an edge in an increasingly competitive international market.

"What we want is for this to last, so that both ourselves, the industry as a whole, and the community from that point of view as well are going to benefit for the next 30 or 40 years with much lower use of pesticides and much better sustainability potential for the industry," he said.

Innovation Minister Paul Lucas says Toowoomba is the ideal location in the heart of the cotton belt.

"Look it''s a big vote of confidence for not only science on the Darling Downs, but also agriculture," he said.