Biotech Updates

Australian OGTR Issues License for Limited and Controlled Release of GM Cotton

May 4, 2012

Upon the termination period (April 2012) for the call to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management (RARMP) made by the Australian Office of Gene Technology, a decision has been made to issue a license to Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd to conduct a limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM) cotton. Eleven GM cotton varieties with insect resistance and herbicide tolerance will be tested in six sites per year in Narrabri Shire (NSW), Wyndham-East Kimberly (WA), and Central Highlands (Qld), between May 2012 and May 2015.

The trial will be conducted to assess the agronomic performance of the GM cotton varieties under field conditions, and to produce seed for use in further studies or releases. The GM cotton will not be permitted to enter human food or animal feed.

See the news at http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/dir113-3/$FILE/dir113rarmpcon.pdf.