Invitation to comment on risk assessment & risk management plans for four limited and controlled releases of genetically modified cotton

The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) is responsible for administering the national regulatory system that seeks 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 Regulator has received four applications from CSIRO for licences to undertake limited and controlled releases of different types of genetically modified cotton into the environment in New South Wales and Queensland:

• DIR 014/2002 proposes to trial GM cotton registered under the trade names Bollgard II^® and Bollgard II^®/Roundup Ready^® cotton on 20 sites covering a total area of 42 hectares. Bollgard II^® cotton produces two insecticidal proteins that are toxic to lepidopteran caterpillar pests that attack cotton. Bollgard II^®/Roundup Ready^® cotton is also tolerant to glyphosate, the active constituent of the herbicide Roundup^®. The cotton plants also contain antibiotic resistance genes;

• DIR 015/2002 proposes to trial GM Liberty^® cotton on one site covering an area of 2 hectares. Liberty^® cotton is tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, the active constituent of the herbicides Basta^® and Liberty^®;

• DIR 016/2002 proposes to trial GM cotton lines containing a novel set of promoters from the sub-clover stunt virus, on 2 sites covering a total area of 1.5 hectares. The promoters are being used to drive the expression of an insecticidal reporter gene. The GM cotton also contains a gene which confers tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium; and

• DIR 017/2002 proposes to trial GM insecticidal cotton on 3 sites covering a total area of 3 hectares. The GM cotton contains a new insecticidal protein that is toxic to lepidopteran caterpillar pests that attack cotton. Some of the GM cotton lines also contain an antibiotic resistance gene.

Following consultation with the expert groups and authorities prescribed in the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act), the Regulator has prepared risk assessment and risk management plans, including proposed licence conditions, in respect of the proposed activities for each licence application.

In accordance with the Act, the Regulator invites written submissions from the public and interested organisations on matters relating to the protection of human health and the environment in order to finalise these plans. Please note that issues such as food labelling, the use and safety of herbicides, marketability and trade implications do NOT fall within the scope of the evaluations conducted under the Act as these are the responsibility of other agencies and authorities.

Copies of the risk assessment and risk management plans, as well as summary information, can be obtained from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or from the address below. Copies and summaries of the licence applications are also available from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Please quote the relevant application numbers.

Submissions should be forwarded to the Regulator by close of business on 7 October 2002.