INVITATION
TO COMMENT
CONSULTATION RARMP FOR LICENCE APPLICATION DIR 084/2008 FROM
FLORIGENE PTY LTD
Limited and Controlled Release of Genetically Modified
(GM) Torenia
Australia’s gene technology regulatory system is designed to
protect the health and safety of people and the environment
by identifying risks posed by, or as a result of, gene
technology and managing those risks.
The Acting Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing
Licence Application DIR 084/2008 from Florigene Pty Ltd for
a limited and controlled release to undertake proof of
concept research with three lines of the flowering pot plant
torenia, that have been genetically modified to enhance
phosphate uptake.
The purpose of the trial is to conduct experiments with the
GM torenia lines to assess their capacity to absorb
phosphate and slow or repress algal overgrowth in a
hydroponic system. The release would involve growing a
maximum of 400 plants hydroponically at one site in the
local government area of Darebin, Victoria, on a maximum
area of 20m2, between October 2008 and May 2009.
A consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
(RARMP) has been prepared, which concludes that the proposed
release would pose negligible risk to human health and
safety or to the environment. A range of licence conditions
are proposed, including measures to limit the release to the
size, location and duration requested by Florigene Pty Ltd.
The Acting Regulator welcomes written submissions in order
to finalise the RARMP, which will then form the basis of her
decision on whether to issue the licence.
The consultation RARMP and related documents can be obtained
from the website <http://www.ogtr.gov.au>
under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the Office.
Please quote application DIR 084/2008 in any correspondence.
Submissions should be received by close of business on
18 August 2008.
DIR
084/2008 - Questions & Answers
DIR 084/2008 - GM Torenia Consultation Risk Assessment and
Risk Management Plan (RARMP) Executive Summary
DIR 084/2008 - GM Torenia Consultation Risk Assessment and
Risk Management Plan (RARMP)Technical Summary
DIR 084/2008 – GM Torenia Consultation Risk Assessment and
Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for limited and controlled
release of torenia genetically modified for enhanced
phosphate uptake
DIR
084/2008 - Licence Application Summary
