EARLY-BIRD
NOTIFICATION
Coming soon
Your chance
to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
for proposed dealings involving intentional release of
genetically modified cotton: DIR 065/2006
Application
The Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received an
application (DIR 065/2006) under section 40 of the Gene
Technology Act 2000 (the Act)
from Deltapine Australia
Pty Ltd (Deltapine) which, if approved, would involve
a limited and controlled release of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) into the Australian environment.
Deltapine
is seeking approval for a limited and
controlled release of up to 11 cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
lines that have been genetically modified to provide
resistance to the major insect pests of cotton (cotton
bollworm and native budworm).
The
proposed release would take place at one site on up to one
hectare from September/October 2006 to July 2007 in one
shire in New South Wales. The GM cotton lines contain either
one or two insect resistance genes (vip3A and/or
cry1Ab) derived from a common soil bacterium. Both genes
produce proteins that are selectively toxic to lepidopteran
insects. Some of the lines also contain a selectable
antibiotic resistance marker gene. The purpose of the
release is to conduct early stage research to produce seed
for further studies and possible future releases (subject to
additional assessments and approvals).
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 this application, including the
application itself.
You can
obtain a copy of the application from my Office (see contact
details below). When contacting the office, please quote the
reference number DIR 065/2006. As the application is quite
lengthy, you may prefer to view a summary of the
application, which is posted on our website with this
document (under ‘What’s New’) along with a set of Questions
and Answers. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the
summary and/or the Questions and Answers, please contact us
and we will post it to you.
A
comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
(RARMP) for this application is now being prepared with
input from a broad range of experts, agencies and
authorities, including State and Territory Governments, the
relevant local council, key Australian Government agencies,
the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Gene
Technology Technical Advisory Committee. The RARMP is
expected to be released for public comment in mid July
2006. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum consultation
period. However, at this stage I anticipate allowing six
weeks for submissions to be received.
If you have
questions about the application, or how you can provide
comment, please contact us at:
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PO Box 100
Woden, ACT, 2606
http://www.ogtr.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au
(Dr) Sue D
Meek
Gene Technology Regulator
5 April 2006
