VIB Field Trial Request Refused

Ghent, Belgium - VIB has responded in disbelief to the rejection by the federal government of its request to carry out a field trial with genetically modified poplars. The government has thus disregarded the authoritative judgement of the Biosafety Advisory Council. According to VIB there is no reason why the request should be refused. It is a severe blow to scientific research in general and the development of biotechnology in Belgium in particular. VIB is investigating the possibility of appealing against the decision.

Sustainable production of bioethanol - VIB submitted a request for a field trial using poplars whose wood composition has been modified to make them more suitable for bioethanol production. There is currently a great deal of attention being focused on biofuels. There is, however, criticism of the so-called first generation biofuels, such as bioethanol from corn or biodiesel from rapeseed. A relatively high amount of energy is required to produce these biofuels and they also compete with food production. Wood has greater potential as a biofuel. It can be harvested using a lot less energy and - if grown on marginal land - would not compete with food production. However, it is currently still quite difficult to produce bioethanol from wood efficiently. This is because of the presence of the adhesive lignin which complicates the first step in the conversion to bioethanol. The wood from the genetically modified poplars contains less of this adhesive. Greenhouse trials have shown that up to 60% more bioethanol can be produced from this wood.

No reason for refusing the field trial - By refusing the field trial request the government has disregarded the authoritative judgement of the Biosafety Advisory Council. This Council had fully endorsed the risk analysis carried out by VIB and judged that the trial was safe and reliable. According to VIB there is no reason why the request should be refused.

Field trials are very important for scientific research - It is extremely important for scientists to be able to perform field trials. Greenhouse trials are of only limited value. It is well-known that greenhouse plants behave differently than in the field where they are exposed to the effects of weather, seasons and deep soil. The field trial could therefore have been the ultimate test to check if wood from trees that have grown in real outdoor conditions can be more efficiently converted into bioethanol.

Comment from VIB: It does not happen often that politicians clearly back biotech. In this case the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology has filed a field trial request. It has been advised positively by the Belgian Biosafety Council but denied by federal Government. Now the Flemish minister for Economy, Science and Innovation (Ms Patricia Ceysens) is taking the matter to the court. She backs the trials saying on national TV that there is no danger at all from these field trials and that there could be major benefits.
Ghent, Belgium - VIB has responded in disbelief to the rejection by the federal government of its request to carry out a field trial with genetically modified poplars. The government has thus disregarded the authoritative judgement of the Biosafety Advisory Council. According to VIB there is no reason why the request should be refused. It is a severe blow to scientific research in general and the development of biotechnology in Belgium in particular. VIB is investigating the possibility of appealing against the decision.

Sustainable production of bioethanol - VIB submitted a request for a field trial using poplars whose wood composition has been modified to make them more suitable for bioethanol production. There is currently a great deal of attention being focused on biofuels. There is, however, criticism of the so-called first generation biofuels, such as bioethanol from corn or biodiesel from rapeseed. A relatively high amount of energy is required to produce these biofuels and they also compete with food production. Wood has greater potential as a biofuel. It can be harvested using a lot less energy and - if grown on marginal land - would not compete with food production. However, it is currently still quite difficult to produce bioethanol from wood efficiently. This is because of the presence of the adhesive lignin which complicates the first step in the conversion to bioethanol. The wood from the genetically modified poplars contains less of this adhesive. Greenhouse trials have shown that up to 60% more bioethanol can be produced from this wood.

No reason for refusing the field trial - By refusing the field trial request the government has disregarded the authoritative judgement of the Biosafety Advisory Council. This Council had fully endorsed the risk analysis carried out by VIB and judged that the trial was safe and reliable. According to VIB there is no reason why the request should be refused.

Field trials are very important for scientific research - It is extremely important for scientists to be able to perform field trials. Greenhouse trials are of only limited value. It is well-known that greenhouse plants behave differently than in the field where they are exposed to the effects of weather, seasons and deep soil. The field trial could therefore have been the ultimate test to check if wood from trees that have grown in real outdoor conditions can be more efficiently converted into bioethanol.

Comment from VIB: It does not happen often that politicians clearly back biotech. In this case the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology has filed a field trial request. It has been advised positively by the Belgian Biosafety Council but denied by federal Government. Now the Flemish minister for Economy, Science and Innovation (Ms Patricia Ceysens) is taking the matter to the court. She backs the trials saying on national TV that there is no danger at all from these field trials and that there could be major benefits.