Mistakes “Inevitable” in GE Tree Trial

(GE-Free NZ Press release)
9 November 2010

Plans to plant GE pine trees in Rotorua will almost certainly result in accidental release of GE pollen.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) is considering proposals by Scion for a 25 year trial of up to 4000 trees of different GE Pinus radiata variants, but the application should not be approved and only fully contained research in the laboratory allowed.

Despite reassurance from ERMA’s internal Review team that no GE pollen will be allowed to escape previous failures in controlling GE crop trials make it almost inevitable that an accidental release of GE pollen will occur.

ERMA is facing high level pressure to approve the trial from the New Zealand government and US corporation Arborgen which is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over the release of pollen from its plantation of GE eucalyptus in the US.

Jon Carapiet of GE Free NZ says “ERMA is being seduced into approving the application because of its scientific value, however these experiments will fail to provide any credible scientific data on the impact of GE trees on complex ecosystems.”

The potential effects of GE trees on soil, birds, and on insects like bees that are vital to natural systems are being ignored. Worse is the ERMA Review team’s assumption that the GE pines will conform to expectations based on conventional Pinus radiata.

The applicant proposes allowing trees to grow for up to 8 years despite ERMA’s Review team indicating P.radiata usually reach maturity at 5-8 years. This development could be further accelerated by the genetic transformations. There is also a likelihood of confusion with or obscuration by other non GE trees at the trial site which will be allowed to flower under the planned ERMA approval.

With GE pollen escaping from the site the reputation of New Zealand’s forestry industry will be put at risk. Over 1 million hectares of NZ forestry is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

FSC does not allow GE trees because of global concerns about the ethics, social impacts and environmental damage they will cause.

Despite lobbying by the New Zealand government and other industry players to have FSC standards dropped,  these trials will not provide a genuine basis for decisions on the impact of GE trees.

Claimed benefits to Maori from the trials also lack all credibility given the overwhelming support amongst Maori and the majority of New Zealanders to keep New Zealand GE Free and build on our clean green natural and 100% Pure reputation.

ENDS

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