Your chance
to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
for proposed dealings involving intentional release of
genetically modified cotton: DIR 067/2006
Application
The Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received an
application (DIR 067/2006) under section 40 of the Gene
Technology Act 2000 (the Act)
from CSIRO which,
if approved, would involve a limited and controlled release
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the Australian
environment.
CSIRO
is seeking approval for a limited and
controlled release of up to 30 GM cotton (Gossypium
hirsutum L.) lines that have each been
genetically modified to provide tolerance to waterlogging
stress.
The proposed release would take place at one site in the
shire of Narrabri in New South Wales on a maximum total area
of 0.1 ha during each of the three summer growing seasons
between September 2006 and May 2009. The trial would involve
early stage, “proof of concept” research to measure the
expression and effectiveness of an introduced waterlogging
tolerance gene, and to assess the agronomic performance of
the GM cotton lines under field conditions. Seed would also
be collected and stored for further studies including
possible future releases (subject to additional applications
and assessments).
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 067/2006. 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 late
September 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:
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PO Box 100
WODEN, ACT 2606
Australia
Telephone:
1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
E-mail:
ogtr@health.gov.au
