The national website of Australia's
Office of the Gene Technology
Regulator is continuing to be a popular source of
information and interest to the public about the regulation of
GMOs in Australia, Dr Sue Meek, the Commonwealth Gene Technology
Regulator, said today.
Announcing that she had placed information on
the Office’s website today about the approval of three new
licences to conduct limited and controlled releases of
genetically modified (GM) cotton, Dr Meek said she had
received a number of new licence applications for limited and
controlled releases of GM crops since she assumed the position
of Regulator in December last year.
"On 19
Gene Technology Act 2000, to
Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd in Queensland for a field trial of
genetically modified cotton," Dr Meek said.
"I have now made a decision to issue three
licences in respect of applications from the CSIRO and from
Agriculture Western Australia to undertake field trials of
genetically modified (GM) cotton.
"The GM cotton proposed for release under
these three applications has been modified by the introduction
of genes from common soil bacteria. The aim of the genetic
modification is to increase the cotton's resistance to
insect pests. Some of the cotton has also been modified to make
it tolerant to a herbicide," Dr Meek said.
"As with the first approved licence, I made
these decisions after extensive consultation on the risk
assessment and risk management plans for these applications with
the public, State and Territory governments, Commonwealth
agencies, the Federal Environment Minister, the Gene Technology
Technical Advisory Committee and relevant local councils, as
required by the Gene Technology Act 2000.
Dr Meek said it is the clear intention of the
Gene Technology Act 2000 that the work of the OGTR be
transparent and open and the OGTR website is being continually
updated with relevant information for the benefit of the public.
"Even though it’s not required by the
legislation, as licence applications are received for dealings
with GMOs that involve intentional release to the environment,
they are posted on the website as Early-Bird notifications," Dr
Meek said.
"The notifications foreshadow the opportunity
for the public to comment on the risk assessment and risk
management plans that are prepared for each of these
applications.
