> Canada's "Frankentrees" Get The Axe, Yet Again....
> It Ain't the First Time, And Won't Be The Last....
>
> March 27, 2000--Saanich, BC, Canada
>
> In honor of BIO 2000, the largest-ever convention of the Biotechnology
> Industry Organization starting today in Boston, USA, the nighttime
> foresters of Canada made another substantial contribution to the
> international debate surrounding genetic engineering.
>
> Gathering together as a group called the "Ministry of Forest Defense," we
> held a special cabinet meeting last night at the British Columbia Ministry
> of Forests (MoF) "Tree Improvement Branch" in Saanich. The MoF is
> committed to transforming BC's wild forests into genetically engineered
> tree farms. So we acted on our conscience and decontaminated the majority
> of coniferous test trees, numbering in the hundreds. Many of these were
> genetically engineered to be resistant to weevils. When we could
> positively identify trees as transgenic because they were labelled, we
> went after them with a vengeance while leaving the trees marked as "native
> stand" or "non-weevil resistant" alone. We cut, sawed, snapped, and lopped
> young trees and ring barked the larger trees (sized from 8-25 ft.), mature
> cottonwood and conifers. When the police showed up before we could finish
> our work, we then retreated to the shadows under the protection of night.
>
> Now is our chance to demonstrate commitment to creating a sustainable
> world. The corruption of the Earth's genetic structure is the most
> frightening and uncontrollable technology developing today. We all share
> the responsibility of stopping the spread of genetically mutilated crops
> before they spread further into the wild environment.
>
> We belive that both corporate and government fields are legitimate sites
> for our actions.  These two entities work hand in hand to pass off
> hazardous waste as trees and food products in the name of profit,
> efficiency, and control. 77% of Canada's forests are managed privately on
> behalf of the provincial governments. Canadian government participation in
> genetic engineering, therefore, opens up the majority of our land to
> plunder and genetic pollution. Unless the people stand up, unnecessary and
> unsafe biotechnology will spread like wildfire.
>
> One may wonder why the "Tree Improvement" Branch  would want to try and
> "improve" trees. They are perfect already. They might not be perfectly
> manufactured for industry, but for their symbiotic relationships in nature
> they are. We could never begin to understand the fragile and minute beauty
> of how trees form and what relationships they have to the flora and fauna
> around them. According to government figures, almost 10% of the new trees
> planted in Canada are from genetically engineered propagules.
>
> Tonight marks the fourth time concerned gardeners have stepped in to
> protect the integrity of forest ecosystems in Canada. We will continue to
> take direct action until reason, responsibility, and respect are shown for
> the planet.
>
> We'd like to express our admiration for the Australian group "Free Seed
> Liberation" who recently joined the worldwide movement against genetic
> engeneering by decontaminating a GE pineapple test site. Tonight's action
> is specifically dedicated to them and the Wild Greens in New Zealand.
>
> Yours for resistance gardening,
> The Ministry of Forest Defense
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Saanich Seed Orchard/Tree Improvement Branch
> 7380 Puckle Road , Saanichton,  BC  V8M 1W4 , Canada
> Fax: (250) 652-4204
> David Reid
> Seed Production Manager Phone: (250) 652-5600
> Email: David.Reid@Gems5.gov.bc.ca
> Debbie Poldrugovac
> Office Manager Phone: (250) 652-5600
> Email:Debbie.Poldrugovac@Gems5.gov.bc.ca
> Robb Bennett
> Pest Management Officer Phone: (250) 652-6593
> Email: Robb.Bennett@Gems6.gov.bc.ca
>
> GenetiX Alert is an independent news center which works with other
> above-ground, anti-genetic engineering organizations. GA has no knowledge
> of the person(s) who carryout any underground actions. GA does not advocate
> illegal acts, but seeks to explain why people destroy genetically
> engineered crops and undertake other nonviolent actions aimed at resisting
> genetic engineering and increasing the difficulty for entities which seek
> to advance genetic engineering or its products. GA spokespeople are
> available for media interviews.
>
> Reporters and other interested parties may contact GenetiX Alert at:
> cell phone: 901.438.9907, fax: 901.458.9907 (call cell first)
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> email: genetixalert@tao.ca
> contact: Denny Henke