Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) - TAKE ACTION before May 14, 2008 to Stop Genetically Engineered Trees

ALERT! The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity should agree to establish an international moratorium on the field testing and commercial release of genetically engineered (GE) trees at the major COP9 meeting May 19-30 in Germany.

1. GROUPS are asked to sign-on to the open letter to the Canadian Government asking for an end to approvals of field trials in Canada and asking to support an international moratorium on GE trees.

2. INDIVIDUALS are asked to write to the Minister of the Environment.

SIGN-ON to the open letter and write to the Minister at http:// www.cban.ca/trees.

“GE trees have the potential to wreak ecological havoc throughout the
world’s native forests…GE trees should not be released into the
environment in commercial plantations and any outdoor test plots or
existing plantations should be removed." - Dr. David Suzuki

Below is a summary of the concerns and demands in the sign-on letter.

See http://www.cban.ca/trees for more information, to sign on and
take action. You can also contact Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator,
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (613) 241-0147 or (613) 241-2267.

Please join this call.

Sign-on Summary: Stop the release of Genetically Engineered Trees in
Canada and around the world (Full text at http://www.cban.ca/trees)

The undersigned, members of organizations, associations and community
groups from across Canada, wish to express our grave concerns about
the field testing of genetically engineered (GE) trees in Canada as
well as our concerns about field testing in other countries and the
threat of commercial approvals of transgenic trees.

Firstly, we would like to state our concern about the field-testing
of GE trees in Canada. Despite government regulation intended to
prevent contamination, these open-air trials pose serious threats to
forest ecosystems in Canada.

Secondly, we would like to state our objection to the use of public
funds to field test genetically engineered trees, as has been
undertaken by the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada,
at government research stations.

Thirdly, we would like to state our concern about ongoing field tests
in other countries as well as the prospects of commercial use of
transgenic trees.

The release of genetically engineered trees poses a serious threat to
Canadian and global forest ecosystems and forest biodiversity. Pollen
from GE trees can travel hundreds of miles (1200 kilometers observed
for pine from south-east US to eastern Canada) and the risks of
irreversible contamination are therefore very high.

For the health and future of Canada’s forest ecosystems and those
around the world:

1. We ask for an end to existing field trials in Canada and an end to
approvals for field trials of genetically engineered trees in Canada.

2. We ask for an end to the use of public funds for field-testing and
an end to field-testing at government research stations.

3. We call upon the Canadian Government, at the COP9 meeting of the
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity May 19-30 2008, to
support other governments in establishing a moratorium on the field
testing, planting and commercial use of genetically engineered trees
because of the serious risks they pose to biological diversity and to
forest ecosystems in Canada and across the world.

TO SIGN ON and for more information : http://www.cban.ca/trees