Receipt of
licence application from the Victorian Department of Primary
Industries for dealings involving intentional release of
genetically modified wheat: DIR 080/2007
Application
The Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a
licence application (DIR 080/2007) from the Victorian
Department of Primary Industries (DPI Victoria) for an
intentional release of genetically modified (GM) wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.) into the Australian environment which
qualifies as a limited and controlled release under section
50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).
DPI
Victoria is seeking approval to conduct proof of concept
research with up to 50 lines of wheat that have been
genetically modified to enhance drought tolerance. The trial
is proposed to take place at two sites in the shires of
Horsham and Mildura, Victoria, on a maximum total area of
0.225 hectares over two growing seasons (May 2008 – March
2010).
The proposed
trial would involve experiments to assess the agronomic
performance of the GM wheat lines under rain-fed, drought
prone field conditions. 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. The GM wheat will
not be used for either human or animal consumption in
Australia.
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 May 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
080/2007). 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
http://www.ogtr.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
E-mail:
ogtr@health.gov.au
Dr. Sue D Meek
Gene Technology Regulator
