Australia Develops GM Safflower
CANBERRA - Mar 21/18 - SNS -- The Australian government is seeking comments about the potential release of a genetically modified varieties of safflower intended for industrial use.
Its Gene Technology Regulator is assessing licence application DIR 158 from GO Resources Pty Ltd for commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) safflower. The two GM safflower lines have been genetically modified to produce more oleic acid in the seed. They also contain an introduced marker gene for antibiotic resistance, used to select the GM plants in the laboratory.
GO Resources Pty Ltd is seeking approval to commercially grow the GM safflower in all safflower growing areas of Australia. The GM safflower and its derived products would enter general commerce, with the oil derived from the GM safflower intended for commercial industrial oil production. Products derived from the GM safflower are not intended for use in human food.
A consultation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) has been prepared, which concludes that the proposed release would pose negligible risk to human health and safety or to the environment. Draft licence conditions are proposed to ensure ongoing oversight of the release.
The Regulator welcomes written submissions in order to finalize the RARMP, which will then inform the decision on whether or not to issue the licence. The consultation RARMP and related documents can be obtained from the OGTR website under Whats New or by contacting the Office. Please quote application DIR 158 in any correspondence.
Submissions should be received by close of business on 15 May 2018 at Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, MDP 54, GPO BOX 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601
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