|
August 29, 2002
Decision on issuing licence
made for application DIR 011/2001
The Gene Technology Regulator
(the Regulator) has made a decision to issue a licence in
respect of application number DIR 011/2001 from Monsanto
Australia. The application is for a licence to undertake a
limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM)
canola into the environment.
The GM canola
proposed for release under the application is Roundup Ready®
canola, which has been genetically modified to be tolerant to
the herbicide glyphosate, the active ingredient of Roundup®.
The scale of the trial will be smaller than the original request
for a total of 26 sites and 34 hectares. The release will now
involve a maximum of 4 hectares over 4 sites.
The aim of the
proposed release is to evaluate the agronomic performance of the
GM canola and to produce seed for future releases in Australia
(subject to further licence applications) and overseas. Any
future releases would be subject to separate applications and
assessments.
The decision to
issue the licence was made after extensive consultation on the
risk assessment and risk management plan with the public, State
and Territory governments, Commonwealth agencies, the Federal
Environment Minister, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory
Committee and relevant local councils, as required by the
Gene Technology Act 2000.
Issues relating to
the health and safety of people and the protection of the
environment raised during the consultations were considered in
finalising the risk assessment and risk management plans and in
making a decision on whether to issue a licence.
The licence has been
issued with specific licence conditions that will ensure
implementation of the risk management plan. These conditions
include stringent monitoring of the release site and a
requirement that research be undertaken to ensure the ongoing
efficacy of containment requirements imposed by the licence.
Complete and summary versions of the finalised risk assessment
and risk management plan and the licence conditions can be
obtained from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
on-line or at the address below.
Office of the Gene
Technology Regulator
MDP 54, PO Box 100
WODEN ACT 2600
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au
|
