PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED BY APRIL 29, 2013
Tell the USDA NO WAY on Genetically Engineered Trees!
The USDA is accepting public comments on a request by GE tree company ArborGen to commercially sell hundreds of millions of freeze tolerant genetically engineered eucalyptus trees annually for vast plantations across Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina.
Government approval of GE eucalyptus trees would set a dangerous precedent that could lead to the legalization of GE versions of native forest trees, including poplar and pine, that would inevitably and irreversibly contaminate native forests with destructive GE traits, devastating forest ecosystems and wildlife. Once GE trees escape, there is no way to call them back.
The only way to stop GE trees from invading and contaminating native forests is to ban the commercial release of GE trees before it is too late.
TAKE ACTION!
Tell the USDA that GE freeze tolerant eucalyptus plantations pose an unprecedented threat to forests and wildlife in the US and around the world. Tell them to reject ArborGen’s request to commercially sell billions of GE eucalyptus trees.
Submit comments to the U.S. government.
The USDA comment period includes two online public meetings on the GE eucalyptus trees on Wednesday, April 17 from 7:00-9:00 PM EDT, and Thursday, April 18 from 4:00-6:00 PM EDT. Go to www.APHISVirtualMeetings.com to register for these public meetings.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST GE TREES AND EUCALYPTUS PLANTATIONS!
From May 26-June 1, industry leaders, scientists and policy makers will meet in Asheville, NC for the Tree Biotechnology 2013 Conference. The conference will discuss current and future applications of GE trees, such as large-scale plantations of GE eucalyptus trees in the southern United States, from South Carolina to Texas.
The STOP GE Trees Campaign is mobilizing events and protests in Asheville calling for a ban on the release of GE trees into the environment. To be alerted to updates on this situation and get involved in these events or the campaign to stop GE eucalyptus trees, email will@gjep2020.local or go to www.nogetrees.org
To read the 580 page petition requesting deregulation of freeze-tolerant GE eucalyptus trees, click here.
Background:
Non-GE eucalyptus plantations already have devastating impacts all over the world. Based on these documented impacts, GE eucalyptus plantations in the US will likely cause:
* Clearcutting of biodiverse forests for conversion to industrial GE eucalyptus plantations–called “green deserts” due to their devastating impacts on biodiversity;
* Invasive spread of GE eucalyptus trees into native ecosystems–eucalyptus are already a documented invasive species in Florida and California;
* Increased danger of firestorms-Eucalyptus contain a highly volatile oil and are explosively flammable;
* Displacement of wildlife that cannot use the non-native eucalyptus trees for habitat or food;
* Contamination of soils and groundwater with toxic agrochemicals used on the plantations;
* Worsening of Drought-Eucalyptus have deep tap roots, monopolize ground water and dry up soils;
* Worsening of climate change through the destruction of carbon rich native forests for carbon poor plantations.*
Global Justice Ecology Project and the STOP GE Trees Campaign are mobilizing to fight this threat.