WRM information sheets on GE tree research
First posted: August 2014
Forest tree species being manipulated:
- hybrid aspen (populus)
Aim of genetic manipulation
- biomass yield
Those carrying out the research:
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
- Universidad de Malaga
Those who provide support to research:
- INRA (France) provided the hybrid poplar clone used in the field trial
Regulatory framework for research and field trials:
Field trials:
- A field experiment was carried out in 2011 by the Universidad de Malaga on producing GE poplar with greater biomass, at a site of 6,335 m2 in Buñuel at the southwest of Navarra. (1)
- The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid got approval in 2012 for carrying out a field trial in the period 2013-2016 at a 300m2 spot close to Madrid, aiming at developing intensively managed poplar for future applications are biomass production for energy purposes, wood pulp production or wood production.
Organizations opposing GE trees:
Sources:
- http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/ES/11/26
- http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/ES/12/34
