EU regulations impede market introduction of GM forest trees

Custers, Rene; Bartsch, Detlef; Fladung, Matthias; Nilsson, Ove; Pilate, Gilles; Sweet, Jeremy B.; Boerjan, Wout

doi:DOI:10.1016/j.tplants.2016.01.015

refereed

published

enEuropean UnionEU regulations impede market introduction of genetically modifiedenGM forest trees

Custers, Rene; Bartsch, Detlef; Fladung, Matthias ; Nilsson, Ove; Pilate, Gilles; Sweet, Jeremy B.; Boerjan, Wout

Biotechnology can greatly improve the efficiency of forest tree breeding for the production of biomass, energy, and materials. However, EU regulations impede the market introduction of genetically modified (GM) trees so their socioeconomic and environmental benefits are not realized. European policy makers should concentrate on a science-based regulatory process.