DIR 085/2008 - Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil

INVITATION TO COMMENT
CONSULTATION RARMP FOR LICENCE APPLICATION DIR 085/2008 FROM CSIRO
Limited and Controlled Release of Genetically Modified (GM) Cotton
Source document (PDF)

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 Acting Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing Licence Application DIR 085/2008 from CSIRO for a limited and controlled release to undertake research with one cotton line genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil.

The purpose of the trial is to conduct proof of concept research involving experiments to evaluate agronomic characteristics of the GM cotton line, when grown under natural field conditions, including seed germination rate, fibre yield and quality, seed yield, oil content and fatty acid composition. The trial is proposed to take place, under limited and controlled conditions, at one site, on a maximum of 2 ha from 2008-2009, in NSW. None of the GM plant materials from the trial would be used in human food or animal feed.

A consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) has been prepared, which concludes that the proposed release would pose negligible risk to human health and safety or to the environment. A range of licence conditions are proposed, including measures to restrict the release to the size, location and duration requested by CSIRO.

The Acting Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to finalise the RARMP, which will then form the basis of her decision on whether to issue the licence. The consultation RARMP and related documents can be obtained from the website <http://www.ogtr.gov.au> under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the Office. Please quote application DIR 085/2008 in any correspondence.

Submissions should be received by close of business on 3 October 2008.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, MDP 54, GPO BOX 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 181 030 Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au

DIR 085/2008 - Questions and Answers (PDF 17 KB)

DIR 085/2008 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 69 KB)

DIR 085/2008 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 77 KB)

DIR 085/2008 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil (PDF 630 KB)

DIR 085/2008 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 57 KB)

Reference material

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2007

Related documents - The Biology of Gyssypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L. (cotton) (PDF 1.03 MB)

Map of Local Government Areas where cotton is grown (PDF 972 KB)