Greenpeace welcomes delay of GE pine field trials
Auckland, October 31
Earlier today the Forest Research Institute (FRI) announced that they will delay planned field trials of genetically
engineered pine trees until the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification has completed its investigation.
“We welcome the decision of the FRI to delay the field trials. Nevertheless the environmental risks associated with
these field trials won’t go away until ERMA made a decision to not approve the trials. The trials involve risks to the
environment. Genes resistant to antibiotics that are to be used in the genetically engineered pines of the FRI are
already banned for such experiments in other countries. ERMA approved the field trials, the authority would act against
the spirit of the precautionary principle which ERMA is obliged to,” said Mario Rautner GE Trees campaigner for
Greenpeace.
Over the last months Greenpeace has demanded that the FRI act according to the voluntary moratorium. Greenpeace has
raised the issue directly with the FRI, the Minister of the Environment, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Crown
Research Institutes.
Bryce Heard, Chief Executive of the FRI stated: “We are taking this step to be seen to be acting responsibly and in
accordance with the spirit of the voluntary moratorium.”
“If the Forest Research Institute would act responsible rather than trying ‘to be seen to be acting responsibly’’ they
would never have applied for the trials and would call them off altogether,” said Mario Rautner.
The ERMA public hearings will be held in Rotorua, November 1 –3.
-ENDS-
Fur further Information, contact Mario Rautner on (09) 630 6317.
or on 025 927 301 at the ERMA hearing (Thursday and Friday)
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Mario Rautner Genetically Engineered Trees Campaigner Greenpeace New Zealand mario.rautner@nz.greenpeace.org
www.greenpeace.org
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