Importing and exporting GMOs
Importing GMOs | Exporting GMOs
Importing GMOs
The importation of live, viable GMOs, constitutes a dealing and thus is regulated under the Act.
Investigators should ensure that proposed importation of GMOs is included in their dealing approval to ensure that the import and transport of GMOs is authorised. Approval can be gained for additional/new import/transport requirements by seeking an amendment to your approval.
If importing GMOs, or viable organisms known to be mixed with any amount of a GM material, the importer is required to obtain appropriate approvals from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). To ensure the necessary approvals or authorisations are obtained prior to importation, the OGTR works with AQIS. Investigators should also ensure that any other regulatory approvals that are required are also obtained. Information about obtaining an import permit can be found on the University's Quarantine Resources web site. Importation requirements for GMOs are also outlined on the OGTR web site.
When seeking a quarantine import permit from AQIS for GM seeds/grains or any other live viable GMOs, importers will be required to provide their OGTR authorisation number (Exempt, NLRD, DNIR, DIR) as well as a declaration of the presence of a genetic modification and type of modification on the AQIS import permit application.
As these AQIS and OGTR approvals must be gained before you arrange for importing the GMOs into Australia, importers should take into account the time that both authorisations may take, and therefore, seek approvals well in advance of any proposed importation. Note also that if a species has not been imported previously, BioSecurity Australia undertakes a full assessment for potential quarantine pest, weed and diseases risks associated with the introduced traits for that species and in such instances it may take longer for approvals to be granted.
Exporting GMOs
To export GMOs, you need to ensure that you have the necessary OGTR authority to transport the GMOs and to supply GMOs to other organisations. Ensure that transport and supply of GMOs is either included in your dealing or that you have requested an amendment to your dealing to permit this to occur. You should also notify the IBC of your intention to export GMOs.
You should also ensure that you have the relevant approvals from AQIS and other Australian regulators (eg. approval from the Department of Defence, if your organisms are on the Defence and Strategic Goods list) and from the receiving country(ies).
AQIS certifies exports of agri-food products and commodities from Australia in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control Act 1982. Based on identification and inspection of products and commodities, AQIS certifies that products and commodities for export from Australia meet the requirements of importing country governments. When an importing country has a government requirement for certification as to the GM status of a product or commodity, AQIS attaches to its export certification a statement from the OGTR that there has been no commercial release of that commodity in Australia when appropriate.
