Download GM Whaet field trial approvals

May 2016
GM wheat field-trial approvals
Regulating gene technology in Australia
Making and working with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Australia is regulated through a
nationally consistent legal scheme, including the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 (the
Act), the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 and corresponding state laws.
The intentional release of a GMO into the Australian environment must be licensed by the Gene
Technology Regulator (the Regulator), and can only be licensed if risks can be managed to protect
the health and safety of people and the environment.
The Australian regulatory scheme is science-based and uses robust risk analysis based on widely
respected international standards. Before deciding to issue a licence, the Regulator conducts a
comprehensive risk assessment—considering the latest available scientific information—and
extensive public and expert consultation.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) also monitors scientific and other literature for
any new information relevant to GM crops, and assesses that information in relation to existing
licences.
Each state and territory can pass its own laws regarding trade and marketing of GMOs.
GM wheat in Australia
There has been no commercial release of GM wheat in Australia, and the OGTR has not received any
licence applications for the commercial release of GM wheat.
Since 2005, the Regulator has issued 18 licences for small field trials of GM wheat. Seven of these
licences are still current (see Table 1).
These field trials relate to early-stage research on GM wheat, modifying traits such as salt tolerance,
drought tolerance, enhanced yield, altered grain composition, improved nutrient use efficiency or
improved grain quality. You can see where the field trials are on the OGTR website.
Each field trial is limited in its size (0.4–3 hectares per year) and duration (up to 5.5 years, i.e. six
seasons). The trials are subject to strict containment conditions to manage the potential for spread
and persistence of the GM wheat and the introduced genes in the environment. The OGTR actively
inspects trials to make sure they are compliant with licence conditions. There have been no breaches
of containment with any of these field trials.
GM wheat from these trials is not permitted to enter commercial human food or animal feed supplies.
However, three licences held by CSIRO authorised animal nutrition studies (DIR 092, DIR 093 and
DIR 111); two of these also authorised experimental human nutrition studies (DIR 093 and DIR 111).
These studies are also subject to approval by ethics committees who consider animal and human
ethical issues. The studies used products made from GM wheat with altered grain composition that
aim to improve nutritional properties such as glycemic index. The licences for DIR 092 and DIR 093
have been surrendered.
Table 1: Current licences for limited and controlled releases (field trials) of GM wheat
Licence No
Licence holder
Modified Trait
Issued
Field trial site
status1
DIR 142
Vic DEDJTR
Yield & abiotic
stress tolerance
April 2016
No site yet
planted
DIR 130
Murdoch
University
Improved grain
quality
March 2015
No site yet
planted
DIR 128
University of
Adelaide
Abiotic stress
tolerance
August 2014
8 sites: 5 site
current, 3 in PHM
DIR 122
Vic DEPI2
Enhanced yield
stability
October 2013
2 sites: 2 in
PHM,
DIR 117
CSIRO
Altered grain
composition and
enhanced
nutrientutilisation
efficiency
March 2013
No site yet
planted
DIR 111
CSIRO
Altered grain
composition,
nutrient utilisation
efficiency,
disease
resistance or
abiotic stress
tolerance
February 2012
8 sites: 4 signed
off, 4 in PHM
DIR 102
University of
Adelaide
Abiotic stress
tolerance
June 2010
8 sites: 4 signed
off, 4 in PHM3
1. A field trial site may be either:
 not planted: as at 31 May 2016, the licence holder had not planted any GM wheat under the

licence
current: the GM crop is being grown and/or harvested,

in post-harvest monitoring (PHM): the GM crop is no longer being grown but the licence
holder is monitoring the site to ensure no GM plants remain or

signed off: the Regulator has determined that post-harvest monitoring is no longer required
for a particular trial site.
2. Currently known as the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and
resources (DEDJTR).
3. The DIR 102 licence covers trials for wheat and barley. Four sites under DIR 102 are planted to
barley only.