Australia approves Monsanto’s GM cotton tests

The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator(OGTR) has approved an application from Monsanto Australia to trial, under limited and controlled conditions, cotton plants that have been genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance.

The trial is permitted to take place between March 2017 and July 2021 in cotton growing areas of Australia on up to 50 sites per year with a maximum combined area of 50 ha in 2017, 100 ha in 2018, and 250 ha per year in 2019 and 2020. The maximum planting size of individual trial sites is 2 ha in 2017, 10 ha in 2018, and 50 ha per year in 2019 and 2020. Sites are to be selected from a number of local government areas in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

The GM cottons permitted for release contain an inserted gene for protection against certain bugs, aphids and thrips that are insect pests of cotton. Combinations of this GM cotton with certain previously authorised insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant cottons are also permitted for release. Some of the GM cottons may also contain marker genes, which were used to select GM plants during initial development in the laboratory.

The purpose of the field trial is to assess the agronomic performance and pest resistance of the GM cottons under field conditions and to develop the GM cottons and produce seed for future releases, subject to further regulatory approvals. The GM cotton is not be permitted to enter human food or animal feed.