Biotechnology cottons on as Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator approves popular biotechnology crop

June 23, 2003

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) authorised the continued commercial release of Roundup Ready cotton on Thursday, June 19, 2003.

The decision allows cotton farmers to continue to adopt the technology, which has proved popular in Australia’s $1.5 billion dollar cotton industry.

Monsanto’s Roundup Ready cotton, first planted in 2000 across 12,000 hectares, has expanded, to cover 91,000 ha, or 40 per cent of Australia’s cotton crop. This rapid growth has been driven by farmer demand.

Initial release of Roundup Ready cotton was supported in September, 2000 by the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee. However, its continuing sale was subject to a full review by the OGTR, which now underpins Australia’s strict gene technology approval process.

Moree, New South Wales cotton grower, Tony Bailey, of Australian Food & Fibre Properties Pty Ltd., which harvested 1500 ha of Roundup Ready cotton last season, pointed to the crop’s impressive track record and welcomed the OGTR decision.

"Roundup Ready cotton is proven and saves costs. Where we’ve had to manually remove weeds once or twice a season in the past, we no longer face that cost in many paddocks and reduced cultivation saves on machinery operation expenses and water," he said.

Roundup Ready cotton carries a gene allowing it to tolerate glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide. Studies have shown that it fits well with conservation farming, by halving the need for soil-disturbing cultivation, reducing residual herbicide use by one third and cutting selective herbicide use by almost two thirds.

According to Monsanto Australia Regulatory Manager, Bethwyn Todd, the approval signals the completion of an extensive assessment of Roundup Ready cotton’s safety and authorises its continued commercial release under the Federal gene technology legislation.

"Roundup Ready cotton systems employ the environmentally benign Roundup herbicide, making its approval and popularity with farmers positive news for sustainable cotton production," she said.

The OGTR’s safety assessment for Roundup Ready cotton included public and expert consultation, including with the Federal Environment Minister, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, all State and Territory Governments and local councils in which cotton is grown.

Authorised by Monsanto and issued on its behalf by Brendon Cant & Assoc.
 

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