Other Issues

25 September 2002

NT GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED ON GM

The Environment Centre of the Northern Territory welcomed yesterday's decision by the Federal Office of the Gene Technology Regulator rejecting the application to commercially grow genetically modified cotton in northern Australia. Opposition to the application came from many quarters including local government, farmers, environment groups and individuals.

"This decision is a clear indicator that it is time for the Northern Territory Government to do its job and protect existing and future industry and our environment. We need legislation prohibiting the commercial release of any genetically modified organisms for at least two years" Jann Crase Environment Centre Landclearing campaigner said today.

"Our key concerns with potential weediness, outcrossing with native cotton species, contamination and lack of research, particularly in relation to impacts on non-target species, appear to have been heeded by the Regulator in rejecting this application."

"Although we are pleased with this decision, the Environment Centre is extremely concerned that approval has been given for commercial GM cotton in southern Australia. Green groups across Australia oppose the release of genetically modified organisms under any circumstances" Ms Crase continued.

"Whether the crop is GM or not there are still associated impacts on the environment from broad scale land clearing, water use in the dry and the use of chemicals (pesticides, insecticides, fertilisers etc) that are unacceptable. Development which inflicts this type of long term damage on ecosystems and species is not in any way ecologically sustainable" Ms Crase, concluded.

Further Information

The application (DIR012/2002) was for the commercial release of Bollgard II® (double Bt gene cotton) and Bollgard II/Roundup Ready® (double Bt gene with resistance to glyphosate the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup Ready®).

Bollgard II® has had two insecticidal genes inserted, which produce proteins that are lethal for particular cotton pests (selective species of caterpillar). Bollgard II® is derived from INGARD® cotton, which only has one of these genes.

For further details on the application, assessment and approval process refer to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator website

Trials of INGARD® have been held in limited locations in northern Australia including the Ord Irrigation Area (up to 1,0000 hectares currently around 400 hectares from 1996 to present), the Katherine area (up to 50 hectares from 1996 to present) and Richmond Qld (400 hectares from 1999 - 2001).

Trials of Bollgard II® were only approved this year with less than 9 hectares at the Ord Irrigation Area and approximately 2 hectares in Katherine. No GM cotton trials are taking place in Richmond. No results from the Bollgard II® trials are available as they were only planted in March 2002.

INGARD® has been commercially grown in traditional cotton growing areas of southern Australia since 1996. Currently a 30% cap is in place to manage insect resistance to the Bt gene by ensuring 70% of crops within a valley are conventional cotton.

For further information contact:
ECNT: 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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