Documents relating to Inadvertent dealings licences with identifiers ID002 to ID005
Richard Smith made this Freedom of Information request to Gene Technology Regulator
This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.
Dear Gene Technology Regulator,
The website of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (https://www.ogtr.gov.au/what-weve-approv...) currently lists the issue of two Inadvertent Dealings licences:
- ID 001 - "Licence authorising anyone who inadvertently comes into possession of a GM petunia to dispose of it" (issued 1 June 2017)
- ID 006 - "Licence authorising anyone who inadvertently comes into possession of GM alfalfa to dispose of it" (issued 21 July 2021)
The issuance of a licence with an identifying file reference of ID006 some four years after the licence with reference ID 001 would imply that there exists a file for other licences or potential licences, whether issued or not, with file references ID 002, ID 003, ID 004 and ID 005.
The potential contact with an unapproved GMO by a member of the Australian community here in Australia is an issue that I consider to be of significant public interest.
I therefore request the following Government Information:
a) Documents related to a summary of Inadvertent Dealings identified by file references ID 002, ID 003, ID 004 and ID 005, whether or not a licence was issued.
To assist the OGTR, the information I am requesting is limited to a brief description of each of the files referenced above, with similar level of detail that appears on the OGTR website.
If this can be answered as informal request, please do so.
Otherwise, please proceed with this as a formal request under the Freedom of Information principles & framework, i.e. the Freedom of Information Act 1982 & other associated guidelines and regulations.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Smith
Dear Mr Smith
Thank you for your query about inadvertent dealings.
Information about ID 002, ID 003, ID 004 and ID 005 can be found on our
website, but unfortunately the current layout of the inadvertent dealing
webpage means that the presence of this information is not immediately
obvious. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) moved to a
new website platform about 6 weeks ago and we are still finding issues
with the format of some of the pages as well as missing information.
Your query has highlighted yet another problem so thank you for drawing
this to our attention. I will endeavour to get this webpage remodelled
to improve clarity as transparency around GMO approvals is very
important.
Documents relevant to ID 002, ID 003 and ID 004 can be found if you
click on the link for ID001
([1]https://www.ogtr.gov.au/gmo-dealings/ina...).
These four entries are all associated with the inadvertent possession of
GM petunias and therefore just the one risk analysis document was
prepared and the one template used for the licences issued to each of
the four companies.
The ID005 application was withdrawn before any assessment was undertaken
and therefore there are no relevant documents associated with this
application.
Once you have had an opportunity to look at this information, please let
me know if you still require further information and would therefore
like to proceed with an FOI request.
I am happy to be contacted directly if you have any questions.
Regards
Kylie
Dr Kylie Tattersall
Director, Plant Evaluation Section
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Evaluation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1435 | E: [2][email address]
Location: Scarborough House, Level 11
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
Dear Kylie,
Thank you for your reply of 18 November to my request for government information.
It is wonderful that the OGTR can so helpfully and easily point to the information relating to my query in such a quick timeframe and that it is available and open with its operations.
I have reviewed the information posted on the OGTR's website at the link you provided and can confirm that this satisfies the scope of my request for government information.
Therefore in light of your assistance and cooperation I believe you have answered my questions satisfactorily without any further action on your part. Please consider my FOI request of 16 November completed.
Your efforts in addressing my FOI request would serve as a good example of best practice to other agencies who don't appear to value open communication and professionalism as much as you do.
It is a credit to you and your organisation.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Smith
Dear Richard
Thank you for your kind words. We always strive to provide the best information and so your positive feedback is very much appreciated.
I have noted that you no longer wish to proceed with an FOI request in our records.
Kind regards
Kylie
Dr Kylie Tattersall
Director – Plant Evaluation Section
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Evaluation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1435 | E: [email address]
Location: Scarborough House, Level 11
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.