The USDA is nearing a decision whether to deregulate a eucalyptus tree that is genetically engineered to tolerate freezing weather for use in tree plantations. It “would become the first genetically engineered tree approved for commercial use in the United States,” says the Washington Post.
In a draft environmental impact statement, the USDA, which regulates GMO plants, said the eucalyptus, developed by ArborGen, posed few significant risks. The company says the eucalyptus could be a source of biomass – eucalyptus grows faster than pine trees often used in commercial forest. “But environmental groups say the tree uses excessive amounts of water, increases wildfire risks, and could turn into an invasive species,” says the Post.
Brazil approved a GE eucalyptus variety, developed by FuturaGene, two years ago for commercial use. The eucalyptus is “a popular choice for wood-pulp plantations because of their quick growth rate, particularly in warm climates like Brazil and southern Africa,” says the Post. “The trees are ready for harvest in five to seven years. But in the southeastern United States, winters can get too cold for conventional eucalyptus.” ArborGen says its GE tree can withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees F.