27 April 2015

Invitation to comment on a genetically modified (GM)
sugarcane 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 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.

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 135 in any correspondence.

Submissions should be received by close of business on 15 June 2015.

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, MDP 54, GPO BOX 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601

Telephone: 1800 181 030 Facsimile: 02 6271 4202 E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au

OGTR website ­ www.ogtr.gov.au