Australia to approve Monsanto’s Bollgard III cotton

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) proposed to approve Monsanto’s GM cotton product Bollgard III. The proposed use is to protect against Helicoverpa Armigera (Cotton Bollworm) and Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm).

 

According to Monsanto, Bollgard III will provide a more robust resistance management tool for cotton growers. The Bt proteins found in Bollgard II, (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab), Bollgard III will also include a third Bt protein Vip3A. These three proteins will increase the longevity of the technology, each having a different mode of action or ‘killing’ larvae in a different way. Early results indicate that Bollgard III is highly effective against Helicoverpa species, but it is too early to determine how the technology will affect any future Resistance Management.

 

APVMA accepts public comment on this proposal before February 16, 2016.