DECISION ON ISSUING A LICENCE FOR APPLICATION DIR 35/2003
 

The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 035/2003 from Monsanto Australia Limited.  The application requests approval to undertake a limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM) cottons: herbicide tolerant (Roundup Ready^® Mon 88913), and herbicide tolerant/insecticidal (Roundup Ready Mon 88913/Bollgard^® II) cotton. The trials will take place over 3 years on 50 sites, covering a total area of approximately 950 hectares in shires in New South Wales, Queensland, northern Western Australia and Northern Territory.

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 and Heritage, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the relevant local councils, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000.

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 a decision on whether to issue the licence.

The licence has been issued with specific conditions including requirements for a pollen trap, restrictions on the use of the GM cotton seed, post-harvest monitoring of the trial site and a research program to provide data that will be essential for the evaluation of future applications. 

The Executive Summary and complete finalised Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan together with the licence conditions can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or by contacting the office directly.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54, PO Box 100
WODEN  ACT  2606

Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au