Australia
February 22, 2012

DIR 115 - Notification of licence application - Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for enhanced fibre yield

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION

Receipt of licence application from CSIRO for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified (GM) cotton (DIR 115)

Application

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for the intentional release of genetically modified (GM) cotton into the environment (application DIR 115), which qualifies as a limited and controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).

CSIRO is seeking approval to conduct a field trial of cotton genetically modified for enhanced fibre yield. The purpose of the proposed trial is to evaluate the potential for increasing cotton fibre yield under field conditions by increasing expression of up to three cotton genes involved in fibre development.

The trial is proposed to take place at one site per growing season in Narrabri, New South Wales between August 2012 and August 2015. The maximum area of each site would be 0.5 ha.
The applicant has proposed a number of control measures to restrict the spread and persistence of the GMOs and their introduced genetic material. The GM cotton will not be used in commercial human food or animal feed.

Purpose of this notification

This notification provides early information about the above application and the assessment process, including a forthcoming opportunity to comment. Advice about this application is not being sought at this stage of the assessment process. A comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for the application is currently being prepared. This is expected to be released for public comment and advice from a broad range of experts, agencies and authorities in May 2012. A period of at least 30 days will be allowed for submission of comments, as required by the Act.

In the interim, you can obtain a copy of the application by contacting my Office (contact details below; please quote application number DIR 115). 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 have any questions or would like to receive a hard copy of the application summary, please contact the OGTR using the details below.

The 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
Website http://www.ogtr.gov.au

DIR 115 - Licence application summary
 

Website: http://www.csiro.au

Published: February 22, 2012