ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF TRANSGENIC TREES IN CANADA - POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND ASSESSMENT OF BIOSAFETY

The release of new genetic materials into forest ecosystems, regardles s of the method used to develop them, should be done in an environment ally responsible manner. Canada is participating with the OECD in effo rts to harmonize regulatory control of products derived from biotechno logy, including forest toes. Prepared under contract to the Canadian F orest Service, the purpose of this document is to facilitate a discuss ion within the forestry community, leading to improved direction of re search and contributing to the harmonization of regulatory oversight o f genetically engineered forest trees. While the focus of the paper is on transgenic trees, many of the issues raised are equally applicable to all novel products from tree breeding.