Limited Release of GM Sugarcane in Australia

Australia's Gene Technology Regulator has received a license application from BSES Ltd for the limited and controlled release of up to 12,500 GM sugarcane lines. The sugarcane plants were genetically modified for altered plant growth and sucrose accumulation, enhanced drought tolerance and nitrogen use efficiency, and improved cellulosic ethanol production from sugarcane biomass. The trial, which will take place on six BSES stations in Queensland from June 2009-2015, aims to evaluate agronomic properties of the GM sugarcane lines grown under field conditions. The GM sugarcane lines contain one or more genes or gene fragments from 22 genes derived from a range of plant and bacterial species. The GM plant materials will not be used for human food or animal feed.

The comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for the application concludes that the release poses negligible risk to people and the environment. BSES Ltd is bound to adopt certain measures to restrict the dissemination of GM plant materials, such as surrounding the trial site with a pollen trap and postharvest monitoring of fields.

For more information on the proposed release, visit http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/dir095