DIR 071/2006 Early-bird notification:
Coming Soon - Your chance to comment on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for proposed dealings involving limited and controlled release of GM drought tolerant wheat
Source: http://www.ogtr.gov.au/ir/dir071.htm 

Application

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received an application (DIR 071/2006) under section 40 of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI Victoria) which, if approved, would involve a limited and controlled release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the Australian environment.

DPI Victoria is seeking approval to conduct early stage, ‘proof of concept’ research with up to 30 lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that have been genetically modified to enhance drought tolerance. The trial is proposed to take place at two sites in the shires of Horsham and Mildura, Victoria, on a maximum total area of 0.225 hectares over one growing season (May 2007 – March 2008).

The agronomic performance, including yield, of the GM wheat lines will be assessed under rain-fed, drought prone conditions. Seed will also be collected and retained for seed increase or further experimentation (subject to additional approvals). None of the GM wheat plants from the proposed release, or their by-products, would be used for human food or stock feed.

Purpose of this notification

As the Gene Technology Regulator, I would like to advise people who have previously expressed interest in knowing about work with GMOs in Australia that they now have the opportunity to access information about this application, including the application itself.

You can obtain a copy of the application from my Office (see contact details below). When contacting the office, please quote the reference number DIR 071/2006. As the application is quite lengthy, you may prefer to view a summary of the application, which is posted on our website with this document (under ‘What’s New’) along with a set of Questions and Answers. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the summary and/or the Questions and Answers, please contact us and we will post it to you.

A comprehensive ‘Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan’ (RARMP) for this application is now being prepared with input from a broad range of experts, agencies and authorities, including State and Territory Governments, relevant local councils, key Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee. The RARMP is expected to be released for public comment in early April 2007. The Act specifies a 30 day minimum consultation period. However, at this stage I anticipate allowing six weeks for submissions to be received.

If you have questions about the application, or how you can provide comment, please contact us at:
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator MDP 54
PO Box 100
WODEN ACT 2606
Australia
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
http://www.ogtr.gov.au

RELATED MATERIAL

xDIR 071/2006 Questions & Answers

DIR 071/2006 - Wheat Licence Application Summary

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2nd Edition) 2005