Australia
May 7, 2010

Source

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION

Receipt of licence application from Bayer for dealings involving intentional release of genetically modified (GM) canola and Indian mustard (DIR 104)

Application

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application from Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd (Bayer) for the intentional release of genetically modified (GM) canola and Indian mustard (DIR 104) into the environment, which qualifies as limited and controlled release under section 50A of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act).

Bayer is seeking approval to conduct a field trial of canola and Indian mustard genetically modified for herbicide tolerance and/or a hybrid breeding system. The release is proposed to take place at a maximum of 21 sites per year to be planted in six possible Local Government Areas (LGAs) in South Australia and 13 possible LGAs in Victoria. Each site will be a maximum of 6 ha (total area planted being up to 126 ha annually) and the trial will be conducted for three years from January 2011 to February 2014. No plant materials from the GM canola nor GM Indian mustard 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 July 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 104). 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 it 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

Dr Joe Smith
Gene Technology Regulator

DIR 104 - Licence Application Summary (PDF 69 KB)

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

Published: May 7, 2010