Australia
June 15, 2022
The Regulator has issued licence DIR 188 to Nuseed Pty Ltd, authorising the limited and controlled release of canola and Indian mustard genetically modified (GM) for altered oil content and herbicide tolerance.
The Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) and the licence were finalised taking into account input received during consultation with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and local councils. The Regulator thanks submitters for their contributions.
Submissions are summarised in Appendix A and Appendix B of the RARMP, together with information about how the issues raised relating to risks to human health and safety or the environment were considered in finalising the RARMP.
The finalised RARMP concludes that this field trial poses negligible risks to the health and safety of people and the environment, thus it does not require specific risk treatment measures. However, licence conditions have been imposed to limit the size, location and duration of the release and to restrict spread and persistence of the GMOs and their genetic material in the environment, as these were important considerations for the RARMP.
The finalised RARMP, a summary of the RARMP, the licence, and Questions and Answers about this decision can be obtained online from the DIR 188 page of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s (OGTR) website or requested via the contacts detailed below. The interactive map showing the locations of field trial sites will be updated on the OGTR website once the GM canola and Indian mustard is planted.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54 GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Tel: 1800 181 030 E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au
OGTR website