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WRM information sheets on GE tree research
First posted: 1 August 2008
Updated: 14 August 2008, based on information from (1)
Last update: 2014
Tree species being manipulated: (1)
- Elm (Ulmus procera)
- poplar (field trial not yet approved)
Aim of genetic manipulation
- resistance to Dutch Elm Disease
- reduced lignin in poplars for the production of ethanol
Those carrying out the research:
- Abertay University, Dundee (elm)
- University of Southampton and Imperial College in London (poplar)
Involvement of foreign research partners
- The Southampton University researchers involved in GE poplars have been carrying out the research with academics from France and Belgium, and later Southampton University and Imperial College in London became partners in a Consortium of public and private research institutions called EnergyPoplar, including institutions from France (INRA), Belgium (VIB), Sweden (SweTree Technologies and SLU), Germany (Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg and George August Universitat), and Italy (IGA-Udine). (2)
Those who provide support to research:
- Forestry Commission (funding for GE elm research)
- Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford University
- The European Union (EU) has funded the EnergyPoplar project since 2008. (3)
Past research:
- Shell Research Ltd at Sittingbourne and West Malling, both in Kent on herbicide resistance (eucalyptus). The experiment is now over.
- Biotech firm Astra Zeneca at Jealotts Hill Research Station at Bracknell, Berks (poplar for producing whiter paper and with faster growth). The field trial was destroyed by protesters in 1999.
Regulatory framework for research and field trials:
- Applications for field trials need the approval of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which includes a period where the public can provide arguments against the approval of the field trial.
Field trials:
- The elm field trial has being carried out in "a controlled environment" “somewhere in Dundee”. The scientists developing them fear "terrorism" by protesters and will not disclose precisely where they are or give details of the numbers. (3)
- The Southampton team submitted in 2008 an application with the Forestry Commission to use one of the UK sites run by its research agency, Forest Research. Friends of the Earth UK and other groups opposed this application, and apparently the field trial was not approved by Defra. (4)
Organizations opposing GE trees:
- Biofuelwatch
- Carbon Trade Watch
- FERN
- African Conservation Foundation
- Down to Earth
- Forest Peoples Programme
- Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- GM Freeze
- GM-Free Dorset Campaign
- Muslim Aid
- The Corner House
- Transnational Institute
- Women's Environmental Network
- World Development Movement
- Worldforests
Actions by unidentified actors:
- Astra Zeneca’s GE poplars were destroyed by protesters in 1999
Sources:
