Australian OGTR consults on GM wheat and barley field trial

The Australian Office of Gene Technology Regulator(OGTR) is currently assessing Licence Application DIR 128 from The University of Adelaide for a limited and controlled release of wheat and barley that have been genetically modified for abiotic stress tolerance or micronutrient uptake.

The primary purpose of the field trial is to assess the yield potential of the GM plants. The trial is proposed to take place between June 2014 and December 2019 at five trial sites, two in South Australia and three in Western Australia. The collective maximum area for the trial is 2.5 hectares per year. The GM wheat and barley 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.

Submissions will be closed on 28 May 2014.