The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

USDA Poised to Approve Risky Field Trial of GE Trees?

USDA Poised to Approve Risky Field Trial of GE Trees Dear sharon, The biotechnology firm ArborGen has asked the USDA for permission to extend, and allow to flower, an experimental field trial of genetically engineered cloned eucalyptus trees in Alabama. The trees have been genetically engineered for cold tolerance and for delayed or reduced flowering. The trees have also been engineered with an unknown "confidential" marker gene. As it did with GE alfalfa USDA failed to conduct and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to comprehensively address all the relevant issues related to the proposed eucalyptus field trials. ArborGen's Baldwin County, Alabama field trial site is prone to severe storms, including tornadoes and hurricanes that could blow GE eucalyptus seeds miles farther than the 100 meters USDA assumed possible. USDA failed to evaluate these severe storms when it reviewed the proposed field trials. The agency should have performed a complete EIS to fully evaluate the high risk of genetic contamination of natural trees due to the regional weather phenomena on the field trial location. Contamination of natural trees by GE eucalyptus could pose a severe environmental threat. Eucalyptus grow well in warm climates, so engineering them to tolerate cold temperatures removes the only barrier to their unrestricted spread. In some places where eucalyptus have been introduced, they are well known for escaping and colonizing native ecosystems. For example, eucalyptus is listed as an invasive species and a costly plant pest in California. Despite recent federal court decisions that USDA failed to address the risk of contamination and other environmental risks from genetically engineered plants, like GE bentgrass and alfalfa, USDA seems poised to push ahead with this dangerous proposal. A public comment period is open until May 21, 2007 - please sign the petition to USDA APHIS opposing this risky proposal today! Sign this petition : USDA/ APHIS Docket No. APHIS-2007-0027 I oppose ArborGen's field trial of genetically engineered (GE) Eucalyptus Trees in Alabama (APHIS-2007-0027). ArborGen petitioned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2006 for permission to extend their GE Eucalyptus field trials to allow flowering and seed production in 355 trees grown on 1.1 acres in Baldwin County, Alabama. USDA originally approved the 3-year experimental trial in the fall of 2005 under the condition that the trees not be allowed to flower. Now, less than 2 years later, the agency seems to have forgotten the logic behind that condition, and has once again conducted a cursory and inadequate Environmental Assessment (EA) in which they recommend approval to extend the GE Eucalyptus field trials and allow this unprecedented flowering and seed formation. Eucalyptus species are introduced organisms into the US and grow well in certain warm climates such as the southern and southeast US regions. The main barrier to Eucalyptus becoming established in this region is that the varieties planted often die in cold temperatures. Genetically engineering them to tolerate those cold temperatures removes that barrier. In other regions, where eucalyptus have been introduced, they are well known for escaping and colonizing native ecosystems. Eucalyptus has become so established in California that it is now listed as an invasive species and a plant pest in the state. USDA also failed to conduct and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to comprehensively address all the relevant issues related to the proposed field trial. The Baldwin County, Alabama field trial site is prone to severe storm events such as tornadoes and hurricanes that could blow GE eucalyptus seeds miles farther than the 100 meters USDA assumed possible. USDA failed to evaluate these severe storm events in the EA and should have performed an EIS to fully review regional weather phenomena on the field trial location to evaluate the higher potential f or escape. By the agency's own admission, there are several varieties of eucalyptus that are naturally cold-tolerant, at least eight of which could be grown in Southern U.S. states like Alabama. This field trial is not only risky, it is completely unnecessary. Please deny the permit extension and insure that the trees currently planted are not allowed to flower. Sign this Petition! Instructions: Sign this petition Tell-A-Friend: Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. Tell-a-Friend! What's At Stake: Campaign Expiration Date: May 20, 20