DIR 087 - Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance
Invitation to comment on a consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance - comments close on 19 November 2008 - posted 8 October 2008 (PDF 47KB)

INVITATION TO COMMENT

CONSULTATION RARMP FOR LICENCE APPLICATION DIR 087 FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE PTY LTD (BAYER)
Limited and Controlled Release of Genetically Modified (GM) Cotton

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 087 from Bayer for a limited and controlled release to undertake early stage research with cotton plants genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance.

The purpose of the proposed trial is to conduct research to evaluate the agronomic performance of the GM cotton plants and to assess the efficacy of the insecticidal protein combination against cotton bollworm. The release is proposed to take place at one site in the shire of Narrabri, NSW, on a total area of up to 0.36 ha over the summer cotton growing season 2008-2009. None of the GM plant materials from the trial will be used in human food, animal feed or for any other cotton products.

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 Bayer.

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 under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the Office. Please quote application DIR 087 in any correspondence.

Submissions should be received by close of business on 19 November 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 087 - Questions and Answers (PDF 17KB)

DIR 087 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 68KB)

DIR 087 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 76KB)

DIR 087 - Full Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance (PDF 556KB)

DIR 087 - Licence application summary (PDF 56 KB)

Reference material

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (3rd Edition) 2007

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

Map of Local Government Areas where cotton is grown