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First posted:
1 August 2008
Updated: 15 August 2008, based on information from
(1)
Updated: 23 January 2009, based on information from
(2)
Updated: 16 March 2009, based on information from
(3)
Updated: 6 May 2009, based on information from (4,
5)
Tree species
being manipulated:
- poplar
Aim
of genetic manipulation
- modified lignin and cellulose content
for easier ethanol production (4). The trees include an antibiotic
genetic marker, used for introducing the desired gene (5)
- herbicide resistance (1988)
Legal
status
- Authorization for a field
trial of VIB's GM poplar was refused in May 2008 by the federal ministers
- In October 2008 VIB asked for a permit in the Netherlands to implement
its field trial there (3). Authorization is still pending
- Belgium's Council of State suspended the refusal of VIB's GM poplar
field trial on December 23, 2008. For the field trial to be carried
out, it still needs the nullification of the refusal (2)
- The Belgian federal government gave its approval to the field trial
on March 2009 (3)
- Field trial established on 6 May 2009 (4, 5)
Those carrying
out the research:
- Flanders Institute
for Biotechnology (VIB)
Involvement
with foreign research partners
- Belgian academics are collaborating
with Southampton University researchers involved in GE poplars in
the UK. The research team, which includes academics from France, is
also seeking locations for field trials in Belgium (1)
Those who
provide support to research:
- Funded by Flemish government
- VIB received 1.6 million dollars from the American Global Climate
and Energy Project, managed by Stanford University, for further research
(2)
Regulatory
framework for research and field trials:
- The Belgian Biosafety
Council needs to be consulted and give a recommendation for field
trials. The decision is taken by the Minister of Climate and Energy
and the Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health (at Federal level)
and the Minister for Energy, Environment and Nature at the regional
level.
Field trials
- First field trial
established at Technologiepark de Zwijnaarde, near Gand. A total of
120 GE poplar trees surrounded by non GE trees. (4, 5, 6)
More
detailed information on field trials here
Organizations
opposing GE trees:
- Nature & Progrès Belgique
(http://www.natpro.be) (5)
- Groen! (the Green Party of Flanders) (4)
- Greenpeace Belgium (http://www.greenpeace.org/belgium/fr/)
Sources:
http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/127/Belguim.html
http://www.greenpeace.org/belgium/fr/press/releases/peupliers-transgeniques-les
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/BE/07/V2
http://www.infogm.org/spip.php?article3361
(1) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/08/09/eatrees109.xml
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/11/gmcrops.biofuels
(2) http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/belgiums_cou
ncil_state_suspends_refusal_vibs_gm_poplar_field_trial
(3) http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/flanders_institute_biotechnology
_vib_receives_authorisation_field_test_its_gm_poplar_
(4) http://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/environnement/la-ministre-ceysens-plante-le-premier-peuplier-transgenique-pres-de-gand
(5) http://www.natpro.be/pdf/CP/CP_09_05_06.pdf
(6) http://www.greenpeace.org/belgium/fr/news/gmo-poplar-field
