Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Forest Certification System Says No to GE Trees
World's Premium Forest Certification System Says No to GE
Trees
Auckland, 23rd October. The New Zealand
plantation industry is poised to cash in on having GE free
status as a cascade of companies line up for Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) 'green' certification to access
key USA, European and Asian markets, claimed Greenpeace
today.
"Key forest products markets have given a very clear signal through demanding FSC certified products - no GE thanks," said Grant Rosoman, Forests Campaigner in New Zealand.
"The Forest Stewardship Council is explicit with one of its forest management criteria prohibiting the use of genetically modified organisms. The FSC is the only credible international forest certification system."
The FSC Criteria 6.8 on genetic engineering of trees reads: "Use of genetically modified organisms shall be prohibited."
In May 2000 a National Initiative on the FSC began in New
Zealand involving all key stakeholders. Part of this
initiative is a standards setting process where the FSC set
of international Principles and
Criteria for Forest
Management are adapted for use within New Zealand. A
prohibition on the use of GMOs will become a key component
of this national standard.
"Over half the plantations in New Zealand could be FSC certified within a year, making it a world leader in certification," said Rosoman.
"Any release of GE organisms would potentially put these certified areas, and therefore their access to high-value markets at risk."
The Forest Stewardship Council is a
global forest certification system that has certified more
than 24 million hectares of plantations and forests in 33
countries. It is a non-governmental organisation that
oversees the third-party certification to internationally
agreed forest management standards. It is
supported by
most international environmental NGOs. Many buyers and
markets have stipulated a preference for FSC wood,
including Home Depot and Lowes, the largest and third
largest Do-It-Yourself retailers in USA, more than 70 UK
wood product using companies with a turn-over in excess of
$30 billion, and over 700 companies from 14 countries in
the Global Forest and Trade Network.
Grant Rosoman is an environmental representative on the NZ FSC National Initiative Working Group, and is nominated to the international board of the FSC.
ENDS
Contacts:
Grant Rosoman, Greenpeace Forest Campaigner, Ph: 03 382
5476 (day/night)
Annette Cotter, GE Campaigner, Ph 09
630 6317x308 or 021 565 175
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
Gordon Campbell: On bird flu, AUKUS entry fees and Cindy Lee
Family First: Just 1 In 6 Oppose ‘Three Strikes’ - Poll
Labour Party: Budget Blunder Shows Nicola Willis Could Cut Recovery Funding 
Government: Urgent Changes To System Through First RMA Amendment Bill
Peace Movement Aotearoa: Global Military Spending Increase Threatens Humanity And The Planet
Government: To Introduce Revised Three Strikes Law
Labour Party: Environmental Protection Vital, Not ‘Onerous’
