Australia
March 12, 2025
Source
Licence details
Licence number: DIR 209
Licence status: Current
Category: Agricultural
Release: Limited and controlled
Organisation: The University of Queensland
Parent organism: Sorghum
Modified trait: Asexual seed production; Selectable markers – herbicide tolerance, visual marker
Licence issue date: 6 March 2025
Description:
This licence allows the University of Queensland to conduct a field trial of sorghum genetically modified (GM) for altered reproduction from sexual to asexual.
The GM sorghum may be grown at one site with a maximum area of one hectare. The field trial site is at the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus. The GM sorghum may be grown from March 2025 until March 2028.
The aim of the trial is to assess how the GM sorghum performs under field conditions. The GM sorghum grown in this field trial will not be used in human food or animal feed.
The University of Queensland must comply with a range of licence conditions that restrict when and where the trial can take place, limit the size of the trial, and prevent the GM sorghum from spreading outside the trial. For example, there are conditions to contain the GM sorghum within the trial site, to securely transport and store the GM sorghum, and to destroy the GM sorghum at the end of the trial.
The risk analysis for this application was carried out in accordance with the Regulator’s Risk Analysis Framework.
You can find out more about sorghum and how it is farmed in Australia in our biology document.
Date application received: 13 August 2024
RARMP open for public consultation: 18 December 2024
RARMP closed for public consultation: 31 January 2025
Documents
Licence decision - notification
Outlines the Regulator’s decision to issue a licence following the assessment of this application.
Licence decision - Q&A
FAQs on the licence application and the Regulator’s decision to issue a licence for this application.
Risk assessment and risk management plan - summary
A summary of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan prepared as part of the assessment of this application. It provides a brief description of the licence application, the risk assessment and risk management plan.
Risk assessment and risk management plan - full version
The final risk assessment and management plan prepared to support the Regulator's decision. It describes the GMO(s) and proposed work with the GMO(s) and provides an assessment of potential risks posed by the GMO(s). It also includes a summary of submissions received during the public consultation process.
Licence conditions
Sets out the licence conditions imposed by the Regulator, including the licence holder’s general and specific obligations and reporting requirements.
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