DIR 091 - Commerical release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance (Widestrike Insect Protection cotton) - Comments close on 21 October 2009 - posted 9 September 2009

INVITATION TO COMMENT
CONSULTATION RARMP FOR LICENCE APPLICATION DIR 091 FROM DOW AGROSCIENCES AUSTRALIA LTD
Commercial 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 Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing Licence Application DIR 091 from Dow AgroSciences Australia Ltd for a commercial release of GM insect resistant cotton known as WideStrike™ Insect Protection cotton.

The proposed commercial release of GM cotton plants would take place, without containment measures, in growing regions south of latitude 22° South. Products from the GM cotton plants are proposed to be used in the same manner as that from non-GM and commercially approved GM cotton. However, the Regulator has proposed some restrictions on the use of cotton seed for livestock feed and on transport in northern Australia.

A consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) has been prepared, which concludes that the proposed release would pose negligible to low risk to human health and safety or to the environment. If a licence were to be issued, general conditions are proposed to ensure there is ongoing oversight of the release, and specific conditions are proposed to mitigate the low risks identified.
The Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to finalise the RARMP, which will then form the basis of a 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 091 in any correspondence.

Submissions should be received by close of business on 21 October 2009.
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 091 - Invitation to comment on a consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for commercial release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance - Comments close on 21 October 2009 - posted 9 September 2009 (PDF 47 KB)

DIR 091 - Question and Answers (PDF 24 KB)

DIR 091 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 82 KB)

DIR 091 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 104 KB)

DIR 091 - Full Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for commercial release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance (PDF 1.3 MB)

DIR 091 - Licence application summary (PDF 74 KB)

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator 2007

The Biology of Gossypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadese L. (cotton) in Australia

Map of Local Government Areas where cotton is grown

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

Published: September 9, 2009