29 June 2010
The Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 102 from the University of Adelaide. The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of up to 1161 lines of wheat and 1179 lines of barley that have been genetically modified for enhanced nutrient utilisation and abiotic stress tolerance.
The release is expected to take place at three sites, two in the local government areas of Marion and Wakefield (South Australia) and one in Corrigin (Western Australia), on a maximum area of 0.75 ha per season, between June 2010 and December 2015. None of the GM wheat and barley plants will be permitted to be used as human food or animal feed, or in the production of therapeutic goods.
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