April 13: According to the media, hundreds of genetically modified trees have been destroyed at the Crown Research Institute Scion site near Rotorua. The same place was already the target of a successful attack in early 2008 when 19 GM pine trees were cut down.
The field trial site contained 375 radiata pines trees planted last year following approval from ERMA (now the Environmental Protection Authority). Set inside Scion’s perimeter fence, the 1-hectare field trial site was secured by a double fence, one of which was electrified and monitored. Similarly to 2008, no group or individual has claimed responsibilty for getting rid of the GM trees. One can expect a large police operation to track down any fingerprints or DNA left at the ‘crime scene’. Continue reading “NZ: Hundreds of GM trees cut down Rotorua”