7. Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd (Bayer) proposes to release into the environment GM canola that has been genetically modified for herbicide tolerance and a hybrid breeding system. The GM canola proposed for release is the product of conventional breeding between GM canola lines1 approved for commercial release under licences DIR 021/2002 (InVigor® canola, including lines MS1, MS8, RF1, RF2, RF3, T45, and Topas 19/2, and hybrids of these) and DIR 020/2002 (Roundup Ready® canola line GT73).

8. The applicant proposes the release to occur in all commercial canola growing areas of Australia. No controls are proposed to restrict the release. GM canola and GM canola-derived products from the GMO would enter general commerce, including use in human food and animal feed.

9. The dealings involved in the proposed intentional release would include:

    • conducting experiments with the GMO
    • making, developing, producing or manufacturing the GMO
    • breeding the GMO with Australian canola cultivars
    • propagating the GMO
    • using the GMO in the course of manufacture of a thing that is not the GMO
    • growing, raising or culturing the GMO
    • transporting the GMO
    • disposing of the GMO
    • importing the GMO
    • the possession, supply or use of the GMO for the purposes of, or in the course of, any of the above.

10. Initially, the applicant has proposed to conduct limited demonstration trials and small-scale seed production. After this initial release, seeds would be sold for commercial production in areas that are suitable for growing InVigor® x Roundup Ready® canola.

11. When producing certified InVigor® x Roundup Ready® canola seed, the applicant proposes to use standard certified seed production methods, including maintaining a 400 m isolation distance from other commercial canola crops.

12. Industry has developed guidelines for growing and dealing with GM and non-GM canola to enable the coexistence of GM and non-GM production systems and supply chains (Gene Technology Grains Committee 2003). To comply with these guidelines, Bayer proposes that all resellers of InVigor® x Roundup Ready® canola seed will be trained and accredited, thereby providing all growers with information on the use of the crop, management strategies for control of volunteers, and all industry guideline requirements. Detailed instructions and recommendations for growing InVigor® x Roundup Ready® canola will also be delivered via several other mechanisms, including the seed labels, herbicide labels and the crop management plans for InVigor® canola and Roundup Ready® canola, developed by Bayer and Monsanto respectively.


1The term ‘line’ is used to denote plants derived from a single plant containing a specific genetic modification made by one transformation event.