DECISION ON ISSUING A LICENCE FOR APPLICATION DIR 047/2003 

DIR 047/2003 - Field Evaluation of Genetically Modified White Clover Resistant to Infection by Alfalfa Mosaic Virus

The Gene Technology Regulator of Australia (the Regulator) has made a decision to issue a licence in respect of application DIR 047/2003 from the Department of Primary Industries (Victoria).  The application requested approval to undertake a limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM) virus-resistant white clover on one site in Victoria over four planting seasons (2004-2007), comprising a maximum area of 494 square metres per planting season.

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 and Heritage, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the relevant local council, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000.

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 a decision on whether to issue the licence.

The licence has been issued with specific licence conditions that will ensure effective implementation of the risk management plan.  The specific conditions include stringent containment measures, restrictions on the use of the GM white clover as stockfeed, research requirements and post-harvest treatment, cleaning and monitoring of the trial site. 

The Executive Summary and the complete finalised RARMP, together with the licence conditions, can be obtained on-line from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website or at the address below.

Notification of decision to issue a licence on white clover application dir047/2003 -
pdf file 38 kb

DIR 047/2003 - White clover licence application risk assessment and risk management plan -
pdf file 325 kb

DIR 047/2003 - White Clover licence application executive summary of risk assessment and risk management plan -
pdf file 62 kb

DIR 047/2003 - Licence conditions -
pdf file 47 kb

Related Document

The Biology and Ecology of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) in Australia -
pdf file 503 kb

DIR 047/2003 - White Clover licence application summary -
pdf file 46 kb

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54, PO Box 100
WODEN  ACT  2606

Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au