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François Houllier

François Houllier. Item 4 EFI Position on research related to GM trees. Annual Conference of EFI 2007. A position about GM tree-related research , not about GM tree-based silviculture.

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François Houllier

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  1. François Houllier Item 4 EFI Position on research related to GM trees Annual Conference of EFI 2007

  2. A position about GM tree-related research,not about GM tree-based silviculture • Doing research on a topic does neither mean that there will be direct applications nor that such applications are desired and/or desirable, • But, of course, research may also lead to applications … • GM-tree related research covers a wide range of topics, disciplines and expertise • Tree biology and biotechnology • Assessment of ecological/environmental impacts • Comparative assessment of alternative silvicultural systems • Assessment of economic/social impacts • …

  3. A statement in three parts • Context • Process • Statement

  4. A statement in three parts:the context • Context • “EFI Board acknowledges that GM tree-related research is a controversial issue, with implications for many disciplines from biology, ecology and environmental sciences, to social and human sciences.” • “The Board recognised its responsibility to issue a statement on the matter and consequently initiated a process of discussion and consideration.” • Process • Statement

  5. The forestry context is different from the context in agriculture (1) • Reasons for that are diverse • Feed and food uses (crops) vs. non food uses (forests) • Trees are long-living perennial species • Trees are large organisms • Specific targets (e.g. lignin contents and type in trees) • Large (GM crops: 102 Mha in 2006) vs. restricted (GM forests) dissemination • Different implication of large multinational companies • Forests and trees are a symbol of ‘Nature’ • …

  6. The forestry context is different from the context in agriculture (2) • Reasons for that are diverse • As a consequence (?), the controversy is less hot than for crops • e.g. Number of citations under Google (25 August 2007) • GM forest : 965 (vs. 79,000 for GM crop) • GM tree : 919 (vs. 70,800 for GM plant)

  7. The context:positions taken by other organizations • Several international (FAO, IUFRO Task Force « Forests and Genetically Modified Trees ») and national organizations (BBSRC, CSIRO, CIRAD, INRA, etc.) have expressed their position on GMOs and/or biotechnology • either in general or with a special emphasis on research • rarely with a specific reference to forest trees • A few common features • The need for innovation and the potential role of biotechnologies, including GM • The necessity to investigate all sorts of impacts (direct-indirect, intentional-non intentional, short-long term, etc.)

  8. The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (1) • GM plants (including GM trees) are a common lab tool for plant biologists • Contained research using indoor facilities

  9. The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (2) • GM plants are a common lab tool for plant biologists • A few open-air field GM tree experiments in a few countries presently (Poland, Germany, Finland, France, Romania, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) or in the past (UK, Romania, Netherlands, Portugal) • Fruit trees: apple tree, Prunus sp., olive tree, Citrus sp. • Forest trees: poplar, aspen, silver birch, Eucalyptus • Former experiments: Norway spruce, pine, Eucalyptus • Target traits: modified wood properties, resistance to a virus, fast growth, risk assessment (e.g. dissemination, non target insect species)

  10. The context:the status in the EU in 2006 (3) • GM plants are a common lab tool for plant biologists • A few open-air field GM tree experiments in a few countries presently or in the past • No commercial release (i.e. no large scale application) • neither presently • nor foreseen

  11. A statement in three parts:a 3-years process • Context • Process • A proposal for a Project Centre in 2004 • EFI discussion paper 12 (2005) • Discussion at the Annual Conference 2005 in Barcelona • Electronic forum in late 2005 (open to EFI associate members) • EFI SAB discussed the matter and advised the Board on the issue in August 2006 • Statement

  12. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (1) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed.”

  13. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (2) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed. This research should: • contribute to the maintenance and development of autonomous multidisciplinary competences and expertise in this field;”

  14. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (3) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed. This research should: • contribute to the maintenance and development of autonomous multidisciplinary competences and expertise in this field; • inform the policy process; however policy, regulation and operational functions regarding GM trees should be the responsibility of the relevant public authorities;”

  15. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (4) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed. This research should: • contribute to the maintenance and development of autonomous multidisciplinary competences and expertise in this field; • inform the policy process […] • explore alternative paths and options, and assess the various technical, economic, social and ecological impacts, benefits, costs and risks associated with GM trees.”

  16. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (5) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed […] • GM-tree related research should strictly comply with public safety regulations. Forest research organizations involved in such research should ensure that precautionary procedures have been developed and published.”

  17. A statement in three parts:the statement itself (6) • Context • Process • Statement • “In order to provide the relevant public authorities with sound and unbiased scientific data and information, GM-tree related research is needed […] • GM-tree related research should strictly comply with public safety regulations […] • There is also a need for monitoring developments of relevance to European forestry from all over the world.”

  18. Thank you for your attentionDiscussion is welcome

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