Australia
November 13, 2104
Invitation to comment on genetically modified (GM) safflower field trial
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 Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing Licence Application DIR 131 from CSIRO for a limited and controlled release of safflower that has been genetically modified for high oleic acid composition.
The primary purpose of the field trial is to evaluate the oil content and agronomic performance of GM safflower under field conditions in various regions around Australia, and provide enough extracted oil for product development and testing as feedstock in industrial processes.
The trial is proposed to take place at 45 sites in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia from January 2015 to August 2019. The maximum cumulative planting area of the trial would be 850 hectares over the 4 years. The GM safflower would not be used in human food or animal feed.
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 draft licence conditions would limit the size, locations and duration of the release, as well as restrict the spread and persistence of the GMOs and the introduced genetic material.
The Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to finalise the RARMP, which will then form the basis of a decision on whether or not to issue the licence. The consultation RARMP and related documents can be obtained from the OGTR website under ‘What’s New’ or by contacting the Office. Please quote application DIR 131 in any correspondence.
Submissions should be received by close of business on 6 January 2015.
Invitation to comment on genetically modified safflower field trial - comments close 6 January 2015 – posted 13 November 2014 (PDF 163 KB)
DIR 131 Summary of consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) (PDF 477 KB)
DIR 131 Full consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) (PDF 1629 KB)
DIR 131 - Questions and Answers (PDF 245 KB)
DIR 131 – Licence Application Summary (PDF 328 KB)
Reference material
Risk Analysis Framework for Licence Applications to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2013)
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