Sites of planned GM Canola Crops in Australia

30 April 2002

Over 350 hectares of land is planned to be sown to GM canola this year in several dozen sites. Aventis and Monsanto have applied to the Office of Gene Technology Regulator to run trials in the states of NSW, Vic, SA and WA. Find out for which local government areas the trials are planned and lodge any objections within the month.

Applications have been received from these two companies:

AVENTIS:

An application (DIR 010/2001) has been lodged by Aventis CropScience Pty Ltd. The application proposes the intentional release into the environment of InVigorÆ canola (Brassica napus).

If approved, the dealings would involve winter and summer plantings of genetically modified (GM), glufosinate ammonium-tolerant canola at sites selected from 23 local government areas across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

A total of 318 hectares of genetically modified canola would be planted at a total of 90 sites over three years, comprising 106 hectares at 30 sites in each year.

MONSANTO:

An application (DIR 011/2001) has been lodged by Monsanto Australia Ltd. The application proposes the intentional release into the environment of Roundup ReadyÆ canola (Brassica napus). If approved, the dealings would involve planting of GM, glyphosate tolerant canola in the winter season of 2002. Twenty-six sites selected from 33 local government areas in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia would be involved, covering a total of 34 hectares.

LIST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS TO BE AFFECTED

For both applications DIR 010/2001 and DIR 011/2001, the local governments and their states are:

Victoria: Ararat, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack;

New South Wales: Coolamon, Culcairn, Junee, Narrandera, Wagga Wagga;

South Australia: Naracoorte/Lucindale;

Western Australia: Goomalling, Wongan Ballidu.

For Application number DIR 010/2001 only, the local governments are:

Victoria: Glenelg, Moyne, Southern, Grampians;

New South Wales: Lockhart;

South Australia: Grant, Wattle Range;

Western Australia: Beverly, Brookton, Quairading, Victoria Plains.

For Application number DIR 011/2001 only, the local governments are:

Victoria: Buloke, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Moira, Pyrenees, Surf Coast;

New South Wales: Carrathool, Corowa, Griffith, Hume, Leeton, Temora;

South Australia: Barunga West, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Port Pirie, Northern Areas, Southern Mallee, Wakefield.

The Gene Technology Regulator writes: "I anticipate that the risk assessment and risk management plans will be released for public comment by mid-April 2002. I will then invite written submissions on the plans for each application. In accordance with the legislation, I will ensure that the Australian community has not less than 30 days to make submissions."

The Regulator must assess the applications and make a decision. Write to the address below to lodge your objections.

This early-bird notification provides you with advance notice of the call for submissions on the risk assessment and risk management plans. You can, if you wish, access the applications at this point. If you wish to access a copy of an application, you should request a copy from the address below. You will need to quote the reference number of the relevant application (see above).

The applications are available by contacting:

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

PO Box 100

Woden, ACT, 2600

Website: www.ogtr.gov.au

E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au

Phone: 1800 181 030

Fax: (02) 6271 4202

For further information

Classification

Subject  GMO Issues
Regional relation  Australia
Audience  General Interest - Academic Researchers - Activists - Government and Policy Makers - Commercial Farmers - Friends of Seed Savers - Teachers and Educators