July 4, 2003

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Early-bird notification:
Coming soon
Your chance to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plans for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified cotton: DIR 034/2003, DIR 036/2003, DIR 038/2003 and DIR 040/2003

Applications

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received four applications under section 40 of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) which, if approved, would involve limited and controlled release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the Australian environment.  The OGTR is considering applications received from Syngenta Seeds Pty Ltd (DIR 034/2003), CSIRO (DIR 036/2003 and DIR 038/2003), and Dow AgroSciences Australia Limited (DIR 040/2003).

Details of the applications are as follows:

Þ      DIR 034/2003 – The application is for the controlled and limited release of insecticidal GM cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) into the environment.  Syngenta plans to use a maximum of 30 sites selected from 17 shires totalling an area less than 10 hectares in Queensland, New South Wales and north Western Australia.

Þ      DIR 036/2003 – The application is for the controlled and limited release of insecticidal GM cotton into the environment.  CSIRO also propose to plant some elite cultivars derived by crosses between the insecticidal plants and other GM cotton plants tolerant to glufosinate ammonium (the active ingredient of Liberty^Ò/ Basta^Ò herbicides) generated as part of a separate dealing.  CSIRO plans to use a maximum of 16 sites selected from 17 shires totalling an area less than 45 hectares in Queensland and New South Wales.

Þ      DIR 038/2003 – The application is for the controlled and limited release of herbicide tolerant, Liberty^Ò GM cotton, genetically modified with the bar gene to confer tolerance to glufosinate ammonium.  CSIRO plans to use a maximum of 16 sites selected from 17 shires totalling an area of less than 45 hectares in Queensland and New South Wales.

Þ      DIR 040/2003 - The application is for the controlled and limited release of insecticidal GM cotton into the environment.  Dow AgroSciences plans to use 2 sites in New South Wales covering a total area of 0.04 hectares over one growing season.

Purpose of this notification

As the Gene Technology Regulator, I would like to advise people who have previously expressed interest in knowing about work with GMOs in Australia that they now have the opportunity to access information about these applications, including the applications themselves.

You can obtain a copy of any of the applications from my Office (see contact details below).  When contacting the office, please quote the reference number of the application(s) you are interested in.  As the applications are quite lengthy, you may prefer to view summaries of the applications, which are posted on our website with this document (under “What’s New”).  If you would like to receive a hard copy of any of the summaries, please contact us and we will post it to you.

Comprehensive ‘Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plans’ (RARMPs) for these applications are now being prepared with input from a broad range of expert groups and stakeholders, including State and Territory Governments, relevant local councils, the Commonwealth Environment Minister, key Commonwealth agencies and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.  The RARMPs are expected to be released for public comment in August 2003.  The Act specifies a 30 day minimum consultation period.  However, at this stage I anticipate allowing 6 weeks for submissions to be received.

If you have questions about the applications, or how you can provide comment, please contact us at:

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PO Box 100
Woden,  ACT,  2606
Website:  www.ogtr.gov.au
E-mail:  ogtr@health.gov.au 
Phone:  1800 181 030
Fax:  (02) 6271 4202

(Dr) Sue D Meek
Gene Technology Regulator
4 July 2003

Early-Bird Notification: Your chance to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified cottons DIR 034/2003, DIR 036/2003, DIR 038/2003 and DIR 040/2003 (PDF file)

DIR 040/2003 - cotton licence application summary (PDF file)