Sign-on
letter to CBD urging a ban on genetically modified
trees
At its last Conference of the
Parties (COP8), the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted
a very important Decision (VIII/19), “Recommending Parties to
take a precautionary approach when addressing the issue of genetically
modified trees”.
That Decision recognized “the
uncertainties related to the potential environmental and socio-economic
impacts, including long-term and transboundary impacts, of genetically
modified trees on global forest biological diversity, as well
as on the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities, and
given the absence of reliable data and of capacity in some countries
to undertake risk assessments and to evaluate those potential
impacts”.
This is a very important step
in the right direction, which needs to be supported against the
pressure that will be put on the CBD by the powerful pro-GM tree
lobby.
Given that the COP8 Decision
has invited everyone “to provide relevant views and information
to the Secretariat for inclusion in this assessment”, a number
of organizations have produced a joint letter to be sent to the
Secretariat providing information and analysis on the issue and
calling for a “mandatory decision declaring an immediate ban on
the release of GM trees.”
The letter concludes that “GM
trees have no role to play in the conservation of global forest
biological diversity and, on the contrary, are likely to reduce
forest biodiversity, with attendant social consequences. The high
risks indicated by the available though incomplete science show
that the technology could result in the extinction of forest plant
and animal species with severe negative impacts on biodiversity”
and urges the CBD “to move forward from the current recommendation
to Parties to take a precautionary approach, to a mandatory decision
declaring an immediate ban on the release of GM trees.”
The full letter is available
at:
http://www.wrm.org.uy/subjects/GMTrees/LetterCBD.html
If you wish to sign on to this
letter, please send a message to STOP GE Trees <info@stopgetrees.org>
before November 15th!
