Australia Approves Commercial Release of GM Indian Mustard

Australia's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has issued license DIR 190 to BASF Australia Ltd., authorizing the commercial release of Indian mustard genetically modified (GM) for herbicide tolerance. The release is authorized to take place throughout Australia. The GM Indian mustard and products derived from it may enter general commerce, including use in human food and animal feed.

The decision to issue the license was made after consultation on the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) with stakeholders nationwide, including the public, state and territory governments, local councils, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, and Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.

The Regulator considered all submissions provided during the consultation process related to the health and safety of people or the protection of the environment. The finalized RARMP concludes that this commercial release poses negligible risk to people and the environment and does not require specific risk treatment measures.

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 190 page of the OGTR website.