Australia
February 18, 2013
DIR 121 - Notification of Application
Receipt of licence application (DIR 121) from CSIRO for field trial of GM safflower
Application
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for the intentional release of genetically modified (GM) safflower into the environment (DIR 121), which qualifies as a limited and controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).
CSIRO is seeking approval to conduct a field trial of safflower genetically modified for increased levels of oleic acid in order to evaluate the agronomic performance of the GM safflower under field conditions.
The trial is proposed to take place between September 2013 and March 2016 at three sites in the ACT and the local government areas of Narrabri and Wagga Wagga in NSW, on a maximum area of 1 hectare per site per growing season. The applicant has proposed a number of control measures to restrict the spread and persistence of the GM plants and their introduced genetic material. The GM safflower will not be used for human food or animal feed.
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 May 2013. 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 121). 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 Website
Dr Joe Smith
Gene Technology Regulator
18 February 2013
PDF version of DIR 121 - Notification of GM safflower field trial licence application - posted 18 February 2013
PDF version of DIR 121 Licence Application Summary
Topics
Species
