Australian OGTR Receives License Application for Field Trial of GM Wheat

The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a license application (DIR 165) from the University of Melbourne to conduct a field trial of genetically modified (GM) wheat with altered iron content.

The trial is proposed to take place between April 2019 and December 2023, on up to 10 sites per year with a maximum area of 2 hectares per site. The trial sites could be located in any of 132 possible local government areas in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia. The trial would be subject to control measures that restrict the spread and persistence of the GM plants and their introduced genetic material. The GM wheat would not be used for human food or animal feed.

The OGTR is preparing a Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for the application which would be released for public comment and further advice from experts, agencies, and authorities in late January 2019. There will be at least 30 days allowed for submission of comments.

For more information, including the notice of application, questions and answers, and summary of the license application, visit the DIR 165 page on the OGTR website.