Erna Bennett interviewed by Gregg Borschmann in the Environmental awareness in Australia oral history project [sound recording]

Bennett, a plant geneticist and journalist, talks about her family background; childhood in Derry and Belfast; father's influence; religion; interest in biology; impact of WWII and experience in armed forces. She then talks about her development from middle class child to communist; defection from British allied forces during war and court-martial at end of war. Bennett then discusses her study of botany, at London University and Durham University, specialising in genetics and physiology and graduation in 1953. She then describes her difficulties in finding employment because of her communism and finally taking a position at the National Library for Science and Technology, International Exchange Division, followed by a research position with the Scottish Plant Breeding Station. Bennett then talks about the coining of the term, "genetic conservation" and her involvement with the FAO conference on genetic conservation held in Rome in 1967.

She then discusses the influence of Jim Gregor, director of the Scottish Plant Breeding Station, on her work. Bennett then looks at the nature of the "green revolution"; genetic erosion; involvement in local internal FAO politics; establishment of the Joint Action Committee; resignation from FAO on May 1, 1981 and return to journalism full-time. Changes seen in both the FAO and CGIAR are discussed as well as the question of how issues affecting genetic diversity within agricultural plants and within communities of wild plants will affect forestry issues.