DIR 085/2008 - Limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION

ISSUE OF LICENCE DIR 085/2008 TO CSIRO FOR A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE OF GM COTTON

The Acting Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 085/2008 from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of one cotton line genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil. The release is expected to take place at one site in the local government area of Narrabri, New South Wales on a maximum total area of 2 ha between October 2008 and June 2009. None of the GM cotton plants will be permitted to be used as human food or animal feed.

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, Heritage and the Arts, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and relevant local council(s), as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and corresponding State and Territory laws.

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 the decision to issue the licence.

The Executive Summary, Technical Summary and complete finalised RARMP, together with a set of Questions and Answers on this decision and a copy of the licence, can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or requested via the contacts detailed below.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator MDP 54 GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 1800 181 030, Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 http://www.ogtr.gov.au

DIR 085/2008 - Notification of decision to issue a licence on application - posted 28 October 2008 (PDF 44 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - Questions and Answers (PDF 14 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 56 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 76 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - Full Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release of cotton genetically modified for altered fatty acid composition of the cottonseed oil (PDF 529 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 57 KB)


DIR 085/2008 - GM Cotton Licence Conditions (PDF 143 KB)

Reference material

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2007


Related documents - The Biology of Gyssypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L. (cotton) (PDF 1.03 MB)

Map of Local Government Areas where cotton is grown (PDF 972 KB)