Summary Notification

General information

Notification Number
B/IS/04/01

Member State to which the notification was sent
Iceland

Date of acknowledgement from the Member State Competent Authority
12/01/2004

Title of the Project
Field trials with marker gene in barley, followed by a 6 year research program (2003-2008)

Proposed period of release:
01/05/2003 to 30/09/2008

Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies)
ORF Liftaekni hf, Rala-husio Keldnaholti, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland;

3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the Community?
No

Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same notifier?
No

Genetically modified plant

Complete name of the recipient or parental plant(s)

Common Name	Family Name	Genus	Species	Subspecies	Cultivar/breeding line
barley	poaceae	hordeum	hordeum vulgare	vulgare	Golden promise

2. Description of the traits and characteristics which have been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous modifications:
Expression of B-glucuronidase

Genetic modification

3. Type of genetic modification:
Insertion;

In case of insertion of genetic material, give the source and intended function of each constituent fragment of the region to be inserted:
CSIRO, Canberra; T-DNA part of pVec8GUS binary plasmid; expression of B-glucuronidase

6. Brief description of the method used for the genetic modification:
Agrobacteriun tumefaciens was used to deliver the plasmid

7. If the recipient or parental plant is a forest tree species, describe ways and extent of dissemination and specific factors affecting dissemination:
Not relevant

Experimental Release

1. Purpose of the release:
Testing and improvement of methods for genetic modification of barley, especially to see the influence of tissue culture and gene modification on ripeness, growth and yeld in these plants outdoors in typical cultivation situation in Iceland. Also to check the expression of marker gene and "selectable gene"

2. Geographical location of the site:
Arnessysla, Iceland

3. Size of the site (m2):
from 40 m2 up to 200.000 m2 in the years 2006-2008

4. Relevant data regarding previous releases carried out with the same GM-plant, if any, specifically related to the potential environmental and human health impacts from the release:
Not relevant

Environmental Impact and Risk Management

Summary of the potential environmental impact from the release of the GMPts:
Barley is self-pollinated and the spermatozoon is only viable for one hour. Barley is cultivated in Iceland, but there is no production of barley seed. There are no plants species in the Icelandic flora which can hybridise with barley.
Iceland is an island, and no dispersion is possible to other countries.

Brief description of any measures taken for the management of risks:
The projects cultivation area is at least 300m away from other barley fields.
The area is surrounded by a fence to keep out animals and humans.
Strings across the area keep out geese and other birds.
Search of volunteers will be conducted and, observed whether volunteers can develop seeds.
Around the trial area unmodified barley will be grown at different distances in the prevailing wind directions to find out if there is crosspollination.
The genetically modified barley will not be used for food or feed.

Final report
-

European Commission administrative information

Consent given by the Member State Competent Authority:
Not known

Notification report