Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for enhanced water use efficiency
DIR 081/2007 - Notification of decision to issue a licence on application

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION

ISSUE OF LICENCE DIR 081/2007 TO MONSANTO AUSTRALIA LIMITED FOR A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE OF GM COTTON

The Acting Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 081/2007 from Monsanto Australia Limited. The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of up to 504 cotton lines genetically modified for enhanced water use efficiency. The release is expected to take place at up to twenty sites in the local government areas (LGAs) in NSW of Balranald, Bourke, Central Darling, Carathool, Coonamble, Gunnedah, Hay, Lachlan, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Narromine, Walgett, Warren and Lake Tandou (an unincorporated area); the Qld LGAs of Paroo, Balonne, Dalby Regional, Goondiwindi Regional, Toowoomba Regional, Somerset Regional, Brisbane City and Lockyer Valley Regional; and the WA LGA of Wyndham-East Kimberly. The field trials will take place on a maximum total area of 80 ha from 2008-10. None of the GM cotton will be permitted to be used as human food or animal feed.

The decision to issue the licence was made after extensive consultation on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the relevant local councils, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and corresponding State and Territory laws.

Issues relating to the health and safety of people and the protection of the environment raised during the consultation process on this application were considered in finalising the RARMP and in making the decision to issue the licence.

The Executive Summary, Technical Summary and complete finalised RARMP, together with a set of Questions and Answers on this decision and a copy of the licence, can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or requested via the contacts detailed below.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54 GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 181 030, Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au

DIR 081/2007 - Questions & Answers (PDF 15 KB)

DIR 081/2007 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 64 KB)

DIR 081/2007 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 88 KB)

DIR 081/2007 - Full Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for Limited and Controlled Release of Cotton Genetically Modified for enhanced water use efficiency (PDF 510 KB)

DIR 081/2007 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 62 KB)

DIR 081/2007 - GM Cotton Licence Conditions (PDF 153 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)