Australia
September 7, 2011

DIR 111 - Notification of licence application - Limited and controlled release of wheat and barley genetically modified for altered grain composition, nutrient utilisation efficiency, disease resistance or stress tolerance

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION

Receipt of licence application from CSIRO for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley (DIR 111)

Application

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application from CSIRO for the intentional release of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley into the environment, which qualifies as limited and controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) (DIR 111).

CSIRO is seeking approval to conduct a field trial of wheat and barley genetically modified for altered grain composition, enhanced disease resistance and improved agronomic performance in rain-fed or drought/heat-prone environments. The trial is proposed to take place at one site in the Australian Capital Territory on a maximum area of 2.3 hectares per year between May 2012 and June 2017.

The GM wheat and barley will not be used in commercial human food or animal feed. However, flour derived from the grain of a few GM wheat and barley lines with altered grain composition may be used for a range of carefully controlled small scale animal and human nutritional feeding trials.

Purpose of this notification

This notification provides early information about the above application and the assessment process, including a forthcoming opportunity to comment. Advice about this application is not being sought at this stage of the assessment process. A comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for the application is currently being prepared. This is expected to be released for public comment and advice from a broad range of experts, agencies and authorities in December 2011. A period of at least 30 days will be allowed for submission of comments, as required by the Act.

In the interim, you can obtain a copy of the application by contacting my Office (contact details below; please quote the reference number DIR 111). 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 have any questions or would like to receive a hard copy of the application summary, please contact the OGTR using the details below.

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, MDP 54, GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Telephone: 1800 181 030 Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au
Website http://www.ogtr.gov.au

Dr Joe Smith
Gene Technology Regulator
7 September 2011

• DIR 111 - Licence Application Summary

Website: http://www.ogtr.gov.au

Published: September 7, 2011