Australia
June 11, 2010

DIR 099 - Notification of decision to issue a licence on application
NOTIFICATION OF DECISION

ISSUE OF LICENCE DIR 099 TO CSIRO FOR A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED RELEASE OF GM WHEAT AND BARLEY

The Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 099 from CSIRO. The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of up to 11 lines of wheat and 3 lines of barley that have been genetically modified for altered grain composition or nutrient utilisation efficiency. The release is expected to take place at the local government areas of Narrabri (New South Wales) and Corrigin (Western Australia), on a maximum area of 2 ha per growing season, between June 2010 and June 2013. None of the GM wheat and barley plants will be permitted to be used as human food or animal feed.

The decision to issue the licence was made after extensive consultation on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, and relevant local councils, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and corresponding State and Territory laws.

Issues relating to the health and safety of people and the protection of the environment raised during the consultation process on this application were considered in finalising the RARMP and in making the decision to issue the licence.

The Executive Summary, Technical Summary and complete finalised RARMP, together with a set of Questions and Answers on this decision and a copy of the licence, can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or requested via the contacts detailed below.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator MDP 54 GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 1800 181 030, Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 http://www.ogtr.gov.au

DIR 099 - Questions & Answers

DIR 099 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary

DIR 099 - Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Technical Summary

DIR 099 - Full Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled release of wheat and barley genetically modified for altered grain composition or nutrient utilisation efficiency

DIR 099 - Licence Application Summary

DIR 099 - GM wheat and barley licence conditions

Reference material

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator 2009

The Biology of Triticum aestivum L. em Thell (Wheat) (2008 version)

The Biology of Hordeum vulgare L. (Barley) (2008 version)
 

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

Published: June 14, 2010