VIB GM poplar field gets authorized
After an initial negative decision in May 2008, VIB recently received an authorisation to field test its genetically modified poplar trees in Belgium. VIB had appealed the negative decision at the Council of State, which in December 2008 ruled in favour of VIB and suspended the refusal. Final negotiations with the Belgian federal government led to a permit. This permit is a landmark in the Belgian field trial history as it is the first permit for a field trial in Belgium since 2002.
The poplar trees have an altered wood composition which renders them more suitable for the production of bio-ethanol. Wood produced in the greenhouse produces 50% more bio-ethanol than conventional poplar wood. The field trial will test whether trees grown under natural conditions will also produce wood that can be converted to bio-ethanol more easily.
In May 2008 the federal competent authorities had refused to give a permit, even though the Belgian Biosafety Advisory Council and the regional Flemish environment minister had both given a positive advice. VIB decided to appeal the negative decision and to investigate alternatives for its field trial. In October 2008 VIB asked for a permit in the Netherlands to do its field trial there, to be sure that it would be able to start the trial in 2009. The Belgian permit now means that VIB does not have to go abroad with its trees. It will however proceed in the Netherlands to also get the permit there, as this will keep options open to start trial activities there in the coming years as well.
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