Australia
January 8, 2010

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION

Receipt of licence application from CSIRO for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley (DIR 099)

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 (DIR 099) into the environment, which qualifies as limited and controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).

CSIRO is seeking approval to conduct a field trial with up to eleven lines of wheat and three lines of barley genetically modified for altered grain composition or nutrient utilisation efficiency. The release is proposed to take place at two sites in the shires of Narrabri in New South Wales and Corrigan in Western Australia on a maximum area of 2 ha per year over three years from May 2010 to June 2013.

No plant materials from the GM wheat and barley would be used for human food or animal feed.

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 March 2010. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum consultation period if no significant risks to human health and safety or 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 by contacting my Office (see contact details below, please quote the reference number DIR 099). 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 them to you.
If you have questions about the application, or how you can provide comment, please contact the OGTR at:

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

DIR 099 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 66 KB) 

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

Published: January 8, 2010