AgroPages-Monsanto applied to field test GM cotton MON 88702 in Australia-Agricultural news

Monsanto Australia has filed an application to the Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) to conduct field trials of its genetically modified cotton - MON 88702 (Insect resistance, herbicide tolerance and selectable markers).

The applicant proposes to conduct the field trials in cotton growing areas of Australia from March 2017 to July 2021. The proposal is to plant up to 50 sites per year with a maximum combined area of 50 ha in 2017, 100 ha in 2018, and 250 ha/year in 2019 and 2020.

The maximum planting size of individual trial sites is proposed to be 2 ha in 2017, 10 ha in 2018, and 50 ha in 2019 and 2020. The applicant has proposed a number of control measures to restrict the spread and persistence of the GMOs and their introduced genetic material, each of which will be considered in the evaluation of this application. These include:

• locating the proposed trial sites at least 50 metres away from the nearest natural waterway

• surrounding sites with a 20 metre pollen trap

• destruction of seed not required for analysis or future planting

• transporting GMOs in accordance with the current Regulator’s Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs or specific licence conditions

• cleaning of equipment prior to use for other purposes

• cleaning all trial sites following harvest

• post-harvest monitoring of the trial sites for at least 12 months following harvest and until the trial site has been free of volunteer plants for at least 6 months

• not allowing GM plant material or products to be used for human food or animal feed

MON 88702 cotton has not been previously released in Australia. Bollgard® II, COT 102 and Roundup Ready Flex® cottons have been approved for commercial release in Australiabefore. MON 88701 cotton was previously approved for field trials in Australia and is currently being assessed for commercial release. There have been no reports of adverse effects on human health and safety or the environment resulting from any of these releases.