<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Outcrossing</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Lentil (<i>L. culinaris</i>) is predominantly self-pollinating, with less than one percent cross-pollination (CFIA, 2003). As such, an isolation distance of only 3 metres is required for pedigreed seed production in Canada (Canadian Seed Growers Association, 2000). The potential for introgression of the herbicide tolerance trait into unmodified lentil plants is therefore negligible. Lentil can successfully hybridize with its wild progenitor <i>Lens orientalis</i>. This wild relative of lentil grows in the Near East, and from the western Mediterranean area to Ethiopia. Introgression of the herbicide tolerance trait from RH44 plants into <i>L. orientalis</i> is therefore possible in these regions. Neither <i>Lens orientalis</i>, nor any other wild relative of lentil grow in Canada.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Weediness Potential</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Lentil does not exhibit characteristics that would render it either weedy or invasive of unmanaged habitats. While some lentil pods shatter at harvest, these seeds do not normally volunteer in any subsequent crop. In Canada, lentil seeds that germinate in the fall do not survive the winter. Those seeds that do germinate the following spring compete poorly with other crops and weeds. Unlike legumes species such as alfalfa or red clover, lentil seed does not exhibit dormancy characteristics such as hard seed. Since lentil seedlings grow slowly are not competitive, lentil could not establish itself successfully in unmanaged habitats. Lentil does not establish successfully in unmanaged habitats; the seedlings grow slowly and thus compete poorly with other plants.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Field trials were conducted to evaluate the agronomic performance of RH44 compared to conventional varieties. There were no significant differences in either seed yield, germination or days to maturity between RH44 and its unmodified comparators. These results indicated that since none of the growth and reproductive characteristics were unintentionally altered, RH44 would not be expected to become weedy or invasive.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Secondary and Non-Target Effects</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The characterization of the modified AHAS gene containing a single base pair change, and the resulting modified enzyme led to the conclusion that the expression of the modified AHAS does not result in altered toxic or allergenic properties. The AHAS enzyme is not a known toxin, does not confer resistance to agricultural pests and is present in plants and micro-organisms with a history of safe use. Based on this information, it was determined that the RH44 lentil line will not result in altered impacts on non-target organisms, compared to conventional lentil cultivars.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The agronomic performance and disease and insect susceptibilities of RH44 were found to be in the range observed by conventional commercial lentil cultivars. RH44 lentil therefore does not display altered morphological or physiological characteristics that would alter its interaction with non-target organisms. Also, since RH44 did not exhibit any altered susceptibilities to either insect pests or plant diseases, it is not expected to display an altered plant pest potential.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Impact on Biodiversity</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">RH44 does not exhibit novel phenotypic characteristics that would extend its use beyond the current geographic range of lentil production. The insect and disease susceptibilities of RH44 were similar to those of conventional lentil cultivars. Furthermore, there does not exist the potential for outcrossing to wild lentil relatives in Canada. The impact of the cultivation of line RH44 in Canada would therefore be equivalent to that of conventional lentil cultivars.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The potential for outcrossing exists in areas of the world where wild relatives of lentil are indigenous. The cultivation of RH44 lentil in these areas, such as the Near East, the western Mediterrenean area, and Ethiopia, could result in the introgression of the imidazolinone-tolerance trait into these related species. The impact on biodiversity of these herbicide tolerant hybrids would be minimal outside of selection pressure from imidazolinone herbicides.</p>
