22 June 2011
The article below appeared in a Sao Paulo newspaper recently referring to a proposal put to the FSC and supported by FOA. The proposal is for FSC to create a sub-committee to investigate biotechnology and prepare and present a case based upon current research to FSC.
Valor Econômico Newspaper, São Paulo – Business Section – June 22, 2011
Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, president of Bracelpa: there are strong arguments in favor of returning to the debate on genetic modification.
A very polemic topic in recent decades, genetic modification has strongly returned to debates among those in the forest industry. Next week, biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms in this industry – notably eucalyptus – will be the topics under debate at two events taking place on opposites sides of the globe, both important for companies that use wood as their raw material. The proposal is to return to debates on the use of genetically modified mature trees in terms of the possible adoption of this technology on a commercial scale.
In Malaysia, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the world’s primary certifying agency for sustainable forest management, will be holding its General Assembly. There, the Forestry Science and Research Institute (IPEF), with the support from Suzano Papel e Celulose, Duratex and the New Zealand Forest Owners Association (FOA), will vote on a motion to speed up the debate on the cultivation of genetically modified forests.
According to the president of the Brazilian Pulp & Paper Association (Bracelpa), Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, the time has come to move forward in the debate on applying genetic modification to eucalyptus plantations. She holds that “there are strong arguments in favor of returning to the debate on genetic modification.” As member of the FSC, Bracelpa has the right to vote on topics debated throughout the event. “We believe the certifying agency should lead the discussions,” Elizabeth affirms.
The debate on the use of genetically modified trees has been meagerly pursued over the last three or four years although research on the subject has advanced significantly, especially in the United States. One of the main obstacles has been a lack of consensus. The FSC itself, under its current policy, approved in 2000, prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms in certified areas. “One of the challenges rests with the FSC,” states the technical coordinator of the IPEF’s Cooperative Program in Forestry Certification (PCCF), Luciana Antunes. "But the world has changed since then and we need more dialogue on the subject."
Currently there is no commercial trade of genetically modified eucalyptus, although a number of companies, including large pulp producers in the country, and universities – or related agencies – are already authorized to plant genetically modified eucalyptus for research purposes. Among the benefits of genetic modification for eucalyptus culture is the reduction of lignin, which would facilitate the extraction of pulp. Today, Brazil is internationally recognized as one of the leaders in terms of forestry productivity, and the adoption of genetically modified trees should raise these rates even more. "There is a scarcity of wood in the world,” the president of Bracelpa warns. "Given this scenario, it is even more important that we get back to talking about genetic modification in trees."
Luciana, from IPEF, believes that trade in genetically modified trees will occur within four or five years. Although the United States is the top researcher in this industry, other countries, such as Canada, New Zealand and some Latin American countries, are also investing heavily in research and may play leading roles in international discussions.