Australian OGTR consults on GM sugarcane trial

Date:04-30-2015

The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) is currently assessing licence application DIR 135 from the University of Queensland for a limited and controlled release of sugarcane genetically modified for enhanced sugar content.
 
The purposes of the field trial are to evaluate the field performance of GM sugarcane and to identify GMOs with enhanced sugar content.

The trial is proposed to take place at one site in Queensland between August 2015 and May 2020 with a maximum planting area of 5 hectares. The GM sugarcane 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, location 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 15 June 2015.