The debate over genetically modified food crops in Australia is about to move to a new arena -- rice.

The nation's top public research body, CSIRO, has applied for a licence to conduct trials of GM rice over the next few years (see www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2004/november/10444.htm).

The move is not seen as a precursor to commercial release of a GM rice plant, but is part of CSIRO's participation in an international research program.

"The aim is to learn as much as we can about the genes in rice," a CSIRO spokeswoman told The Weekly Times.

The Gene Technology Regulator will make a decision, based on any risks to human health or the environment, by February.

CSIRO's plan involves a field trial of about 1500 GM rice plants over three growing seasons on a small site near Wagga Wagga.

The GM rice varieties will have been modified for herbicide tolerance, antibiotic resistance and various other protein markers.

CSIRO will assess altered growth patterns, flowering time and other agronomic and biological features, as well as gene flow and the extent of pollen traps.

The GM plants will be grown on a 0.04ha site, with a second site of 0.1ha used to grow non-GM rice, as part of cross-contamination assessment.

A risk management plan for CSIRO's proposal -- first lodged in July this year -- has been issued by the GTR for public comment, with submissions due by December 20. The plan requires the trial site to be located within a locked, double-fenced area, covered entirely by bird-proof netting and surrounded by a 150m isolation zone. It will be 85km from the nearest commercial rice-growing areas, with safeguards to minimise drainage into the watertable.

No rice plants or by-products can be used for human or animal food, and seed not required for further research will be destroyed, as will volunteer plants.