Biotech Updates

Australia's OGTR Authorizes Commercial Release of GM Cotton

December 14, 2016

Australia's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has issued a license in response to application DIR 143 from Bayer CropScience, authorizing the commercial release of cotton genetically modified (GM) for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance (GlyTol® and GlyTol TwinLink Plus®).

The release is authorized to take place throughout Australia. The GM cotton and products derived from it may enter general commerce, including use in human food and animal feed. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved the use in food of material derived from this GM cotton.

The decision to issue the license was made after 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, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and local councils, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and the corresponding State and Territory legislation.

The final RARMP, as well as its summary, a set of Questions and Answers on this decision, and a copy of the license are available online from the DIR 143 page of the OGTR website.