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Suit filed to halt GM tree planting

A coalition of environmental groups have filed suit to stop the open-air planting of genetically modified Eucalyptus trees in seven southern states. On May 12th, USDA issued a permit for ArborGen to plant field tests on 28 sites in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. The trees are genetically altered so they can grow in cooler temperatures; the goal is to use the fast-growing trees for pulp and biomass. ArborGen is a joint venture by paper and packaging interests.

The organizations filing suit charge USDA granted the permit with minimal environmental review. They contend the Eucalyptus is not native to the United States and could easily become an invasive species threatening native trees. In addition they claim the trees require substantially more water than native trees and given the common occurrence of extended dry spells in the Southeast, they present added fire danger.

The coalition filing the suit is made up of the  Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Dogwood Alliance, International Center for Technology Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Global Justice Ecology Project.