Australia
January 29, 2007
Application for Licence for
Limited and Controlled Release of GMOs Into the Environment:
Application No. DIR 069/2006 Limited and Controlled release of
GM Herbicide Tolerant hybrid canola and Indian mustard
Invitation to Comment on a
Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP)
for limited and controlled release of GM herbicide tolerant
canola and Indian mustard : DIR 069/2006 - Comments close on 12
March 2007
Australia’s gene technology
regulatory system is designed to protect the health and
safety of people and the environment by identifying risks
posed by, or as a result of, gene technology and managing
those risks.
The Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing licence
application DIR 069/2006 from Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd
(Bayer) to intentionally release genetically modified (GM)
canola and Indian mustard into the environment under limited
and controlled conditions.
The GM canola and Indian mustard lines proposed for release
contain introduced genes for herbicide tolerance and a novel
hybrid breeding system. The trial is proposed to take place
on a maximum of 252 hectares, comprising up to 42 sites of
no more than 6 ha between 2007 and 2010. Up to 8 sites per
winter and 6 sites per summer season are proposed. Potential
sites have been identified in 24 shires in New South Wales,
South Australia and Victoria.
The aims of the proposed trial are to conduct research to
compare agronomic traits such as herbicide tolerance,
germination efficiency, and flowering times in the GM canola
and Indian mustard lines with non-GM canola and Indian
mustard and previously approved GM InVigor® canola lines.
Seeds collected from the trial would be shipped to Canada
for further trait evaluation. Bayer envisages that seeds
from promising lines may be assessed in future seasons in
Australia (subject to further approvals). None of the GM
plants materials, or their by-products, would be used for
stock feed or human food.
The Regulator has prepared a risk assessment and risk
management plan (RARMP) for the proposed release and
suggests a range of conditions (including containment
measures) that would be imposed if a licence was issued.
The Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to
finalise the RARMP, which will then form the basis of her
decision on whether to issue the licence. The consultation
RARMP and related documents can be obtained from
www.ogtr.gov.au under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the
Office. Please quote application DIR 069/2006 in any
correspondence.
Submissions should be received by close of business on 12
March 2007.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, PO Box 100 WODEN,
ACT 2606 (http://www.ogtr.gov.au)
Telephone: 1800 181 030 Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 E-mail:
ogtr@health.gov.au
http://www.ogtr.gov.au/pdf/ir/dir069notificon.pdf
DIR
069/2006 Questions & Answers
DIR 069/2006 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk
Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary
DIR 069/2006 - Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk
Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary
DIR 069/2006 - Full Consultation Risk Assessment and Risk
Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release
of GM herbicide tolerant canola and Indian mustard - posted
6 December 2006
DIR
069/2006 - Canola and Indian mustard Licence Application
Summary
Reference
material
Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2005
Related document - The Biology and Ecology of Canola (Brassica
Napus)
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