GM Trees Destroyed

Zeneca's plantation of genetically modified poplar trees, the only genetic trees left in this country after Derby University's apple trees were destroyed two years ago, have finally been killed. Some were ringbarked and others felled in an action timed to coincide with the start of a major conference about forest biotechnology in Oxford.

Undoubtedly the research will be set back by years and the company has claimed that it is unlikely to attempt future plantings of GM trees in this country because of resistance. However, it also claims that 48 of the trees were mature enough to pulp for paper making at Domaine University, in Grenoble, France.

There are no tree test sites left, but GM tree research takes place at several universities around Britain including Reading and Derby. Research is also taking place at the East Malling Horticultural Research Institute, the Oxford Forestry Institute and the Forestry Commission's Alice Holt Research Station. Key companies include Shell, Zeneca, Monsanto and International Paper.

There was also a protest outside the Oxford conference, on the 14th of July, its opening day.

Contact geffcoalition@hotmail.com or 07771 788 750.