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Australia to approve Monsanto's GM cotton lines

The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) is currently assessing licence application DIR 145 from Monsanto Australia Ltd for a commercial release of two types of GM cotton: Xtend Flex™ and Bollgard® 3 Xtend Flex™ cotton. Xtend Flex™ cotton has been modified for tolerance to the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba. Bollgard® 3 Xtend Flex™ cotton has been genetically modified for insect resistance as well as tolerance to the three herbicides.

Subject to any State government restrictions imposed for marketing reasons, the proposed commercial release of the GM cottons would be Australia-wide. Products from the GM cotton plants would be used in the same way as those from non-GM and other commercially approved GM cottons.

A consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) has been prepared, which concludes that the proposed release would pose negligible risk to human health and safety or to the environment. Draft licence conditions are proposed to ensure there is ongoing oversight of the release.

The Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to finalise the RARMP, which will then inform the decision on whether or not to issue a licence. The consultation RARMP and related documents can be obtained from the OGTR website under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the Office. Submissions should be received by close of business on 26 October 2016.