Australia's OGTR Authorizes Commercial Release of GM HT Canola

Australia's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has issued a license in response to application DIR 138 from Bayer CropScience, authorizing the commercial release of canola genetically modified (GM) for dual herbicide tolerance and to facilitate production of the GMOs. The release is authorized to take place throughout Australia. The GM canola and products derived from the GM canola may enter general commerce, including use in human food and animal feed. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved the use in food of material derived from this GM canola.

The decision to issue the license was made after consultation on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and local councils, as required by the Gene Technology Act 2000 and the corresponding State and Territory legislation.

The final RARMP, as well as its summary, a set of Questions and Answers on this decision, and a copy of the license are available online from the DIR 138 page of the OGTR website.