GE Eucalyptus Experiments in the Southern US

USDA has approved plantings of genetically engineered eucalyptus tress at sites in seven states. Center for Biological Diversity and other organizations are suing to set aside the approval.

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree that dominates tropical timber plantations. It is not native to the U.S. and has become invasive in some places.

Two major international timber companies, International Paper and MedWestvaco, have formed ArborGen to test eucalyptus that has been engineered for cold-tolerance and other traits in the southern U.S.

There are a number of potential benefits, particularly for the timber industry. However, the CBD suit alleges that USDA did not fully evaluate the risk of the introduced species becoming invasive along with other potential negative environmental consequences. Projects to selectively breed eucalyptus for use in the U.S. have been underway for some time, but the introduction of engineered genes could pose unique risks for impacts on surrounding species and ecosystems.

Additional discussion is available here, here, and here.

Long-Term Biodiversity Impacts of the Gulf Oil Spill

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill's impacts on biodiversity are sure to go beyond harm to the charismatic mega-fauna featured in front-page photographs. A much longer term threat exists in regard to impacts on lower levels of the food chain. The extent of future impacts remains uncertain, but may be closely linked with the extensive use of dispersants.

These chemicals spread the oil below the surface, making it much less visible and reducing the immediate economic impact. They could potentially also reduce BP's liability, not only by limiting immediate economic impact but also by inhibiting accurate estimates of the volume of oil spilled. At the same time, dispersing the oil deep below the surface could have major negative impacts on micro-organisms and other less well-known organisms essential for the functioning of the ecosystem. Are we avoiding short-term costs by imposing much greater and longer-term impacts on the biodiversity of the Gulf?

A good piece on tonight's PBS Newshour raises some of these questions, while detailed information on Gulf biodiversity and impacts from the spill is available here, among other places, and current fish & wildlife reports are available here.

The New EU Mandatory Organic Label

As of July 1, new regulations came into effect that require the use of the European organic logo on pre-packaged organic food and beverage products. The European Commission states that the new logo is designed to provide a consumer with “complete confidence” that the goods they purchase are produced in line with EU organic farming regulations.

The logo is made up of 12 stars in the shape of a leaf. According to FOODnavigator.com

[w]here used, the logo must be accompanied by an indication of the place where the agricultural raw materials were farmed, stating that raw materials originate from 'EU Agriculture', 'non-EU Agriculture' or 'EU/non-EU Agriculture'. If all raw materials have been farmed in only one country, the name of this specific country, in or outside the EU, can be indicated instead. National, region, or private labels will be allowed to appear on packaging alongside the common EU logo. Under the EU’s new regulations, products can only be labelled as organic if:

• At least 95 per cent of the product's ingredients of agricultural origin have been organically produced;
• The product complies with the rules of the official inspection scheme;
• The product has come directly from the producer or preparer in a sealed package;
• The product bears the name of the producer, the preparer or vendor and the name or code of the inspection body
• The product does not contain GMOs

The new EU rules also set out conditions for organic aquaculture production of fish, shellfish and seaweed. These specify that biodiversity should be respected, and do not allow the use of induced spawning by artificial hormones.