Australia to approve GM wheat and barley field trial

The Gene Technology Regulator is currently assessing licence application DIR 152 from the University of Adelaide. The application is for a field trial (limited and controlled release) of wheat and barley genetically modified for yield enhancement and frost tolerance. The purpose of the field trial is to assess the agronomic characteristics of the GM wheat and barley plants under field conditions.

It is proposed that the trial will take place at up to five sites, with up to 3.75 hectares per growing season (across all sites) in South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales, between July 2017 and January 2021. The GM wheat and barley would not be used for commercial 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, location 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 inform the 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. Submissions should be received by close of business on 07 June 2017.