Receipt of
licence application from Florigene Pty Ltd for dealings
involving intentional release of genetically modified
torenia: DIR 084/2008
Application
The Office of the Gene Technology
Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application
(DIR 084/2008) from Florigene Pty Ltd (Florigene) for an
intentional release of genetically modified (GM) torenia (Torenia
x hybrida) into the Australian environment which
qualifies as a limited and controlled release under section
50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).
Florigene
is seeking approval to conduct
proof of concept research with three lines of the flowering
pot plant, torenia, which have been modified to enhance
their capacity to absorb phosphate from polluted water. The
release would involve growing a maximum of 400 plants
hydroponically at one site in the shire of Darebin,
Victoria, on a maximum area of 20m2,
between October 2008 and May 2009.
The proposed trial would involve experiments to assess the
capacity of the GM torenia lines to absorb phosphate and
slow or repress algal overgrowth in the surrounding water. A
number of measures are proposed by the applicant to restrict
the spread and persistence of the GMOs and their genetic
material that will be considered during the assessment of
the application.
Purpose of
this notification
A
comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
(RARMP) for the application is currently being prepared. I
expect this to be released for public comment and advice
from a broad range of experts, agencies and authorities in
early July 2008. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum
consultation period if no significant risks to human health
and safety of the environment are identified, and a 50 day
minimum consultation period if significant risks are
identified.
In the
interim, you can obtain a copy of the application itself by
contacting my Office (see contact details below; please
quote the reference number DIR 084/2008). As the application
is quite lengthy, you may prefer to view a summary of the
application which is posted on our website along with this
document (under ‘What’s New’). If you would like to receive
a hard copy of the application summary, please contact us
and we will post it to you.
If you have questions
about the application, or how you can provide comment on the
RARMP when it is released, please contact the OGTR at:
The Office of the Gene
Technology Regulator
GPO Box 9848
Canberra, ACT 2601
www.ogtr.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
E-mail:
ogtr@health.gov.au
