Forestry Commission - News - forestry commission states position on requests for gm trial sites

Following recent publicity of this subject in the news media, the Forestry Commission has stated its position on requests for it or its scientific research agency, Forest Research, to host field trials of genetically modified trees on land they manage.

It is that the use of genetically modified trees in forestry research is not a priority for the Forestry Commission at present. We are not doing any GM research ourselves, nor is there any current research being undertaken for us by other researchers. We are working to establish a protocol for considering requests from other organisations to establish field trials of genetically modified organisms on Forestry Commission land, and until we have a protocol established we will not be considering any requests to do so.

For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk or www.forestresearch.gov.uk.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Charlton Clark, 0131 314 6500