Transgenic and Insect Management Strategy Committee

The annual report of the cotton industry’s Transgenic and Insect Management Strategy Committee (TIMS) suggests that despite burgeoning environmental and economic pressures, the industry remains in control of its destiny.

TIMS chairman, Andrew Parkes, said lower Heliothis pressures and an obviously successful insecticide resistance management strategy (IRMS), gave rise to cautious optimism about the future, but the resistance management of conventional chemistry will still need to be closely monitored over coming seasons.

He praised inputs and commitment from the TIMS Committee and its Technical Panels, citing roles played by Lewis Wilson (Troubleshooting Committee), John Watson (Herbicide Tolerant Crop Tech Panel), Hamish Millar (Northern Australia Resistance Management Tech Panel), Ian Taylor (CRDC Program Manager), and ACGRA executive officer, Greg Kauter.

He said some major achievements of the TIMS Committee last season involved advances in biotechnology relating to new transgenic cotton varieties. These included:

• Requirements for the resistance management plans for the introduction of new traits in cotton in Australia with new technology providers. • The development and implementation of a Resistance Management Plan for Bollgard II cotton above the 22degree South parallel. • Reviewing and adapting the “Bollgard II Planting Window Variation Request Process. • Assisting to develop and support the 2007-08 Insect Resistance Management Plan for Widestrike Cotton. • Reviewing and adapting the 2007-08 Insect Resistance Management Plan for Bollgard II Cotton, and • The combined development of a research permit between Monsanto and the TIMS Committee to look at future possible variations of refuge options, including prior agreement to trial layout, protocols, reporting, etc., to ensure better outcomes from trials in terms of a smoother and quicker pathway to market.

“Of particular importance this year the TIMS Committee, with grateful assistance from its Technical Panels, the CRDC and the CCCCRC, convened ‘REFCOM’ which looked in depth into the current resistance management plan (RMP) for Bt cotton in an attempt to understand how effective it currently is, and to develop ideas of possible variation for the future.

“The contribution and guidance of Drs Gary Fitt, Rick Roush and Graham Head during this forum were vital ingredients to its success.

“As drought continues to influence management, as new technologies continue to be introduced, and as Bt cotton continues to increase its share of the market, the TIMS Committee and its Technical Panels will have ever increasing demands placed on them.”

He also acknowledged the work of the TIMS Herbicide Tolerant Crop Technical Panel and the development of various crop management plans (CMP).

“The past twelve months have seen the sign off and implementation of a CMP for Liberty Link Cotton and Liberty 200 Herbicide and the commercial release of this product. The same has been the case for Roundup Ready Flex above the 22 degrees south parallel.

“The reported glyphosate resistance by barnyard grass in the geographic centre of the Australian cotton growing region is a concern to our industry as additional scrutiny may well develop around the Roundup Ready Flex technology. It may also be a signal to some to attempt to apply extra compliance around all CMP’s in the future.

“The workload for this Tech Panel continues to escalate and I applaud them for their collective application to the herbicide resistance management tasks that have been put before them.”

He said TIMS Northern Australia Resistance Management Technical Panel had also been active via its involvement in the inaugural meeting of the “NORCOM’s Committee” held at Ayr in May 2007.

“NORCOM’s initial aim is to facilitate the development of a successful cotton industry in northern Australia through the development and coordination of the required support for northern growers with knowledge and resources.

“The group is cognisant of remaining in touch with the local issues and the priority of those issues and, I am sure, will continue to play an important role in the successful development of a cotton industry in northern Australia.”

He concluded with some pertinent comments about the future of the TIMS Committee, particularly in relation to representation and communication.

“It has become very clear over the past year that the Committee has to address a perceived lack of communication to and from the grass roots level of cotton production. There are a number of tools we can use into the future to enhance the dissemination of information both to and from the TIMS Committee.

“One of the best avenues we have, however, is the personal touch. I feel it is extremely important that all ACGRA members on the committee represent and communicate regularly with stakeholders from their regional areas of responsibility.

“Resistance (in whatever form) has been the greatest single challenge that the cotton industry has faced in the past and it would be a brave statement indeed to suggest that it won’t continue to be a challenge into the future.

“The development of new biotech traits both now and into the future have added greatly to the workload associated with normal TIMS Committee business. Our involvement and developing relationship with regulatory departments has further increased the time required of all Committee members.

“The resources available to the Committee, in terms of secretarial services and remuneration for members out-of-pocket expenses, are issues needing industry attention.

“In conclusion, the past twelve months have offered the TIMS Committee and Technical Panels many interesting challenges. I believe the new structure has handled them all professionally, concisely and appropriately.

“It is with confidence that I suggest the challenges ahead of the TIMS Committee will continue to be handled in the same fashion,” Andrew Parkes said.

Further information: Andrew Parkes Chairman TIMS Committee 02 67533000 or 0429 669164