OGTR seeks GM cotton input

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has called for public comment on two licence applications for Monsanto's GM cotton.

One application is for commercial release of Monsanto's Bollgard II and Bollgard II/Roundup Ready cotton varieties, which contain two Bt insect resistance genes and, in the latter variety, herbicide tolerance genes.

The other application is for a large-scale controlled release trial, to be undertaken if the commercial release is not approved.

"We would like to move forward with commercialisation," said Brian Arnst, public affairs spokesman for Monsanto.

He explained that in any case, the first year of commercialisation would be limited by seed availability.

However, the OGTR has concerns about the proposals in both applications to release GM cotton north of latitude 22 degrees south.

Currently, commercial release of Monsanto's Ingard and Roundup Ready cotton varieties are only approved in cotton growing regions in Queensland and NSW below this latitude, due to concerns about potential weediness of cotton further north and possibilities for outcrossing with native cottons.

Studies performed since the original approvals have shown that outcrossing to native cottons is extremely unlikely to occur, according to both Monsanto and the OGTR.

The OGTR has indicated that it has not yet conclusively determined whether the proposed release will significantly impact the environment north of latitude 22 degrees south.

According to the summary of the license applications, Monsanto has provided the OGTR with data to support its application to grow the two varieties in the northern regions.

The OGTR is inviting written submission on the applications on matters relevant to the preparation of the risk assessment and risk management plans for the two applications.