12 July 1999 UK's ONLY GM TREES DESTOYED BY ACTIVISTS The only field trials of Genetically Modified trees growing in the UK were destroyed by anti GM activists during the night, the Genetic Engineering Network has learned this morning. In an anonymous phone call the activists claim to have destroyed 115 of the estimated 120 GM poplars which were growing in 2 adjacent test sites at AstraZeneca's research station in Bracknell, Berkshire. It is claimed that some of the trees have been ringbarked while others have been felled. As far as GEN is aware no one has been arrested in connection with this action. This direct action against GM trees coincides with the opening of the Forest Biotechnology conference taking place in Oxford this week. The conference brings together scientists, academics and companies to discuss the GM takeover of the world's forests. In a statement passed to GEN the anonymous activists claiming responsibility for this action said the following : "Genetic modification of trees is a major threat to the worldis environment. Forests maintain our atmosphere and climate, and sustain many thousands of independent species of animals and plants. Those who are manipulating the DNA of trees, using very powerful but new and dimly understood technology, show contempt for our planet and the life it supports, including human life. They respect only profit for themselves and their shareholders. "We have taken this action today in the hope of placing some obstacle, however small, in the way of AstraZeneca and the rest of the biotechnology business who are recklessly vandalising our world." "It is likely that AstraZeneca will respond by claiming that their GM trees will allow more eco-friendly industrial processes and/or help save the Earth's forests. Such cynical claims have been made before by the biotech transnationals and have been shown to be false. GM trees will lead to increased conversion of forests into regimented wood pulp factories and increased chemical use." AstraZeneca has stated that the Poplars that they were growing at Bracknell were safe because they could not cross-pollinate. This ignores the issues of horizontal gene transfer which genetic manipulation makes more likely to occur. Trees have much longer life cycles than other GM plants, they have very extensive root systems and complex relationships with other organisms, for instance insects and soil bacteria. Far from being 'safety trials' the GM Poplar tests at Bracknell posed a threat to environmental safety. "We have been forced to take this action ourselves because the biotechnology companies have used their wealth and power to subvert not only the process of scientific innovation but also the democratic process. We call on the Government to cease its collusion with the biotech industry. Our earth and its people should come before the reckless pursuit of profit." Media Release FOR IMMEDIATE USE ON MONDAY 12th July 1999 Genetic Engineering Network Tel. 0181 374 9516 - --- Editors Notes 1. The location of the GE tree test site is Jealotts Hill Research Station, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 6EY. Phone AstraZeneca: 01344 424701. The grid reference for this site SU 8773. As far as we are aware the site can be viewed from the road. 2. The trees are owned by AstraZeneca who have now confirmed that the action took place - They are GM Poplar, modified for reduced lignin content. Zeneca are by far the largest UK based biotech company - earlier this year they merged with Astra, the pharmaceutical giant. 3. A coalition campaign group opposing GE trees has been formed in the past few months. The GEFF (GE Free Forestry) coalition has been contacted and may be able to help with media enquiries. geffcoalition@hotmail.com. For GEFF please call: 07771 788 750 4. GEFF are planning a protest outside the Forestry Biotech Conference on Wednesday 14th July. Meeting point 9.30am, green space opposite Natural History museum of Oxford University, Parks Rd, Oxford. (more details below press release) 5. This is the 2nd time in the UK that GE trees have been targetted by activists. The first came in 1997 when a test site of GE apple trees in Derbyshire was ringbarked during a night time action.