DIR 103 Notification of Decision

6 August 2010

Notification of Decision

Issue of Licence DIR 103 to DPI Victoria for a Limited and Controlled Release of GM Canola

The Gene Technology Regulator has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 103 from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI Victoria). The applicant has received approval for the limited and controlled release of up to 10 lines of canola that have been genetically modified (GM) for enhanced yield and delayed leaf senescence.

The release is to take place in the Victorian local government areas of Horsham and Southern Grampians, on a maximum area of 0.8 ha per growing season, between August 2010 and May 2012. None of the GM canola 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