On 4 September 2025 the Regulator published a short notice headed "Fire ant baits are not GMOs". It followed a statement on the National Fire Ant Eradication Program website on 25 August 2025 that led some people to believe GM organisms had been released without approval. The notice says "The baits do not contain GMOs" and that because their ingredients "are not live and viable", they do not need the Regulator's approval. A list of OGTR records produced for the Senate later showed a Senate estimates brief on "Compliance monitoring – Fire Ant baits". The notice is an example of the Regulator using its function of giving information to the public quickly when a rumour takes hold.
Sources: OGTR, Fire ant baits are not GMOs (4 September 2025); Department of Health, Senate Order No. 12 list, OGTR, July-December 2025; Gene Technology Act 2000 s 27(f).