Monsanto Australia welcomes today's publication by the Federal Government's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for Roundup Ready canola.

"The OGTR's finding that Roundup Ready canola is as safe as conventional canola for human health, safety and the environment follows a very careful review. We welcome the opportunity that this decision can give to Australian farmers," said Terry Bunn, Managing Director of Monsanto Australia.

"Many Australian growers are keen to see Roundup Ready canola perform on their farms and today's news moves us a step closer to that objective," said Mr Bunn.

Development of Roundup Ready canola began in the late 1980's, with Canadian farmers first using it in 1995. Since then it has grown to be the most popular weed control choice for Canadian growers, who chose Roundup Ready canola for almost 50% of the canola crop in 2003.

Trials of Roundup Ready canola have been undertaken in Australia since 1997. Trial results demonstrate that the Roundup Ready canola system offers excellent weed control and crop yields compared to conventional canola systems. The benefits offered by Roundup Ready canola make it an effective tool for sustainable agriculture in Australia.

The OGTR's decision is now open for an eight-week public consultation period after which information received is considered and a license for Roundup Ready canola may be granted.

Monsanto is awaiting a regulatory decision from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary medicines Authority (APVMA). The APVMA is responsible for regulating the use of herbicides in Australia, including the use of Roundup agricultural herbicide on Roundup Ready canola.

Monsanto recognises the need to protect the effectiveness of Roundup herbicide and supports the use by growers of an effective resistance management approach tailored to local farming systems.

As part of the regulatory application Monsanto developed and submitted a Resistance Management Plan for the long-term sustainable use of Roundup herbicide with Roundup Ready canola to both the OGTR and the APVMA.

Monsanto developed the Resistance Management Plan for Roundup Ready canola with leading Australian weed researchers including Professor Jim Pratley from Charles Sturt University.

"It is clearly in the interests of Monsanto and the Australian grains industry that the efficacy of glyphosate is retained. The Resistance Management Plan is in place to ensure that happens," said Professor Pratley.

Monsanto's objective in 2004 is to provide Australian farmers with the opportunity to see for themselves the benefits that Roundup Ready canola can provide and that Roundup Ready canola can co-exist with other crops and farming systems.