Australia
September 5, 2007
Application for Licence for
Limited and Controlled Release of GMOs Into the Environment:
Application No. DIR 074/2007 Limited and controlled release of
GM insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant Gossypium
barbadense cotton
DIR 074/2007
Invitation to Comment on a Consultation Risk Assessment
and Risk Management Plan for the Limited and Controlled
release of GM insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant
Gossypium barbadense cotton
Comments close on 15
October 2007 - posted 5 September 2007
Australia’s gene technology
regulatory system is designed to protect the health and
safety of people and the environment by identifying risks
posed by, or as a result of, gene technology and managing
those risks.
The Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing licence
application DIR 074/2007 from Monsanto Australia Limited to
intentionally release genetically modified (GM) Gossypium
barbadense cotton (also known as Pima or extra long staple
cotton) into the environment.
The application proposes the limited and controlled release
of three insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant GM G.
barbadense cotton lines over a two year period (2007-2009).
The introduced genes are the same as those in GM G. hirsutum
cotton that currently comprises approximately 90% of
Australia’s commercial cotton crop.
The trial would take place at up to 13 sites of no more than
2 hectares each (maximum total area of 26 hectares), in up
to 14 shires in New South Wales and Queensland. The trial
would involve early stage research to breed and evaluate the
agronomic performance of the GM G. barbadense cotton lines;
produce seed for further trials (subject to additional
approvals); and collect data for future regulatory
requirements.
The Regulator has prepared a risk assessment and risk
management plan (RARMP) for the proposed release, and
suggests a range of conditions (including containment
measures) that would be imposed if a licence was issued.
Written submissions are invited in order to finalise the
RARMP, which will then form the basis of her decision on
whether or not to issue the licence. The consultation RARMP
and related documents can be obtained via the contact routes
below. Please quote the application DIR 074/2007 in any
correspondence. Submissions should be received by close of
business on 15 October 2007.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PO Box 100
Woden, ACT, 2606
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
DIR
074/2007 - Questions & Answers
DIR 074/2007 - GM Cotton Consultation RARMP Executive Summary
DIR
074/2007 - GM Cotton Consultation RARMP Technical Summary
DIR 074/2007 - GM Cotton Consultation RARMP for Limited and
Controlled Release of GM Insect Resistant and/or Herbicide
Tolerant Gossypium barbadense Cotton
DIR
074/2007 - Cotton Licence Application Summary
Reference material
Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2005
Related document - The Biology and Ecology of Cotton
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