Australia
February 8, 2010

DIR 101 - Notification of Licence Application: Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION

Receipt of licence application from Monsanto Australia Limited for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified cotton: DIR 101

Application

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application (DIR 101) from Monsanto Australia Limited (Monsanto) for an intentional release of genetically modified (GM) cotton 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 conduct a field trial with cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. The release is proposed to take place at up to 50 sites per year in the current and prospective cotton growing regions of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia over four years from October 2010 to October 2014. Monsanto proposes to conduct the release on a maximum area of 50 hectares (ha) in the first year, 100 ha in the second year and 500 ha in each of the third and fourth years, with a maximum area of 250 ha per site.

No plant materials from the GM cotton would be used for human food or animal feed.

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 early May 2010. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum consultation period if no significant risks to human health and safety or 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 101). 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, please contact the OGTR at:
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 101 - Licence Application Summary

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

Published: February 8, 2010