Growers have to pass a number of regulatory hurdles in order to plant Roundup Ready canola this season as it makes its commercial scale debut, albeit on a restricted scale.
The first thing growers keen to grow Roundup Ready must do is complete a Monsanto accreditation course.
These courses have been conducted through both NSW and Victoria and educate farmers on agronomic management, stewardship obligations and grain hygiene protocol, among other things.
Next, farmers must sign a technical users' agreement (TUA) which will capture specific planting details, including acreage, locations and planned sowing dates.
They must also fill in a paddock resistance risk calculator, called the Paddock Risk Assessment Management Option Guide (PRAMOG), which will assess the risk of glyphosate resistance, especially in terms of ryegrass.
Monsanto technology development leader, Dave Moore, says Monsanto wants to ensure all people that dealt with GM canola across a farm business were aware of their obligations.
He says the person who signs the TUA has to have accreditation, along with the person making contract decisions, while all farm workers need to be aware of the protocols to be observed.
A licensing and stewardship agreement also needs to be signed - it deals with the stewardship issues with the product.
Upon taking possession of the seed, which can take place any time after the TUA is signed, Monsanto will monitor and audit growers to ensure the crop complies with all Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) requirements.