As the Tree Biotechnology 2013 conference kicked off, two Asheville residents were arrested after disrupting a major presentation by Belgian tree engineer Wout Boerjan entitled, “Engineering trees for the biorefinery.” The protestors said that if legalized, GE trees would lead to the destruction of native forests and biodiversity in the US South, and be economically devastating to rural communities. The talk was disrupted for 20 minutes. Farmer and professor Steve Norris said, “We took dignified action today to directly confront the growing corporate control over our seeds, forests, and communities. We are sending a crystal clear message to the GE tree industry and its investors – expect resistance.”
“We know that GE trees are a disaster for forests and biodiversity,” said Laura Sorensen, one of the demonstrators arrested on Monday. “With predictions of worsening extreme weather in our region, the last thing we need are highly flammable and invasive plantations of water-hungry eucalyptus trees.”
“As a grandmother, I see no future in this for my grandchildren,” she added.
Source: Climate Connections, 27 May 2013
http://climate-connections.org/2013/05/27/breaking-protestors-arrested-…
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