Australian OGTR consults on GM canola field trial from Nuseed

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 123 from Nuseed for a limited and controlled release of up to 200 lines of canola that have been genetically modified for altered oil content.

The primary purpose of the field trial is to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, oil content, and genetic stability of the GM canola under field conditions. The trial is proposed to take place between March 2014 and March 2019, with trial sites selected from 153 possible local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. The trial would be conducted at a maximum of four sites of up to 2 hectares (ha) in 2014, six sites of up to 10 ha in 2015 and ten sites of up to 20 ha in each subsequent year. The GM canola would not enter the human food or animal feed supply but some GM material may be used for small-scale experimental animal feeding studies.

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.

Submissions should be received before 16 October 2013.