Industry Update

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has included genetically modified (GM) canola event GT73 (MON-00073-7), commonly known as Roundup Ready® canola, on the Australian GMO Register. The change took effect on 20 August 2024.

Following a comprehensive risk assessment and consultation process, the OGTR determined that dealings with GT73 canola pose minimal risk and can be undertaken without the need for a GMO licence.

What this means for industry

GT73 canola has transitioned from regulation under Licence DIR 020/2002 to inclusion on GMO Register 003. As a result, persons conducting authorised dealings with GT73 canola are no longer required to hold, or be covered by, a GMO licence in Australia.

This administrative regulatory change does not affect the approved uses, commercial cultivation or trade of GT73 canola in Australia. Commercial production, handling, transport, storage, processing and trade can continue under the GMO Register framework. Existing stewardship, segregation and market access requirements remain important where required by customers or destination markets.

Exporters should also remain aware that importing countries may continue to require event-specific regulatory documentation.

Trade documentation for China

Although Bayer intends to surrender DIR 020/2002, documentation supporting exports of GT73 canola to China will remain available through Bayer’s Safety Certificate Management (SCM) system.

Industry participants requiring export documentation can request certificates via the Bayer Safety Certificate Management (SCM) system

Documentation issued by Bayer will now reference GMO Register 003 rather than DIR 020/2002, reflecting the updated Australian regulatory status of GT73 canola.

Key message

The transition of GT73 canola to the Australian GMO Register (Register 003) is an administrative regulatory change only. There is no change to market access, cultivation permissions or trade eligibility.

Industry can continue to produce, handle and market GT73 canola as before. Documentation supporting exports to markets such as China will now reference GMO Register 003 rather than DIR 020/2002.