NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION
Receipt of licence application from Monsanto Australia
Limited for dealings involving intentional release of
genetically modified cotton: DIR 081/2007
Application
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has
received a licence application (DIR 081/2007) from Monsanto
Australia Limited (Monsanto) for an intentional release of
genetically modified (GM) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) into
the Australian environment which qualifies as a limited and
controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology
Act 2000 (the Act).
Monsanto is seeking approval to undertake proof of concept
research with cotton lines that have been modified for
enhanced water use efficiency using one of 56 different
genes. The proposed trial would take place on up to 20 sites
in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia on a
maximum total area of 40 hectares per annum over a two year
period between 2008 and 2010. The GM cotton will not be used
for human food or animal feed.
The proposed trial would involve experiments to assess the
agronomic performance of the GM cotton lines under optimal
and water stress conditions. A number of measures are
proposed by the applicant to restrict the spread and
persistence of the GMOs and their genetic material that will
be considered during the assessment of the application.
Purpose of this notification
A comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
(RARMP) for the application is currently being prepared. I
expect this to be released for public comment and advice
from a broad range of experts, agencies and authorities in
mid May 2008. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum
consultation period if no significant risks to human health
and safety of the environment are identified, and a 50 day
minimum consultation period if significant risks are
identified.
In the interim, you can obtain a copy of the application
itself by contacting my Office (see contact details below;
please quote the reference number DIR 081/2007). As the
application is quite lengthy, you may prefer to view a
summary of the application which is posted on our website
along with this document (under ‘What’s New’). If you would
like to receive a hard copy of the application summary,
please contact us and we will post it to you.
If you have questions
about the application, or how you can provide comment on the
RARMP when it is released, please contact the OGTR at:
The Office of the Gene Technology
Regulator
GPO Box 9848
Canberra, ACT, 2601
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