DIR 082/2007 - Limited and controlled release of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue genetically modified for improved forage qualities

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION
http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/dir082-3/$FILE/dir082notific.pdf

ISSUE OF LICENCE DIR 082/2007 TO THE VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES FOR A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE OF GM PERENNIAL RYEGRASS AND TALL FESCUE

The Acting Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 082/2007 from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of up to 500 perennial ryegrass and tall fescue lines genetically modified for improved forage qualities. The release is expected to take place at one site in the local government area of Southern Grampians, Victoria, on an area of 800 m2 per year between 2008 and 2010. None of the GM perennial ryegrass and tall fescue will be permitted to be used as human food or animal feed.

The decision to issue the licence was made after extensive consultation on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the relevant local council, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and corresponding State and Territory laws.

Issues relating to the health and safety of people and the protection of the environment raised during the consultation process on this application were considered in finalising the RARMP and in making the decision to issue the licence.

The Executive Summary, Technical Summary and complete finalised RARMP, together with a set of Questions and Answers on this decision and a copy of the licence, can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or requested via the contacts detailed below.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54 GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 181 030, Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au



DIR 082/2007 - Questions & Answers (PDF 15 KB)

DIR 082/2007 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary (PDF 63 KB)

DIR 082/2007 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary (PDF 80 KB)

DIR 082/2007 - Full Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for Limited and Controlled Release of Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue Genetically Modified for Improved Forage Qualities (PDF 644 KB)

DIR 082/2007 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 59 KB)

DIR 082/2007 - GM Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue Licence Conditions (PDF 136 KB)

Reference material

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2007 (PDF 11.02 MB)

The Biology of Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Italian ryegrass), Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) and Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh (tall fescue) (PDF 910 KB)