Transgenic cotton was introduced to Australia in 1996 with Ingard® which was replaced by Bollgard II® in 2004/05. Transgenic cotton is now grown by over 95% of Australian cotton growers so is an integral part of the Australian cotton industry, helping enable the industry to dramatically reduce insecticide use by 89% (Australian Grown Cotton Sustainability Report 2014).

The cotton industry has been able to work closely with the commercial companies involved and regulatory bodies in developing resistance management plans and monitoring the performance of the technology primarily through the TIMS committee and research organisations. However the stewardship of the technologies at a grower level has been largely the responsibility of the commercial companies.

An industry need was identified for the delivery and promotion of independent industry research focused on resistance to GM cotton and the effectiveness of commercial stewardship programs to ensure the protection of the technology for future industry use.