Genetically-modified trees: opportunities for dialogue

This paper has been prepared for The Forests Dialogue’s Scoping Dialogue on genetically-modified forest (GM) forest trees. TFD “stimulates multi-stakeholder platforms for discussion, reflection and the promotion of collaborative solutions to difficult issues facing forests and people”. Consultation processes within TFD’s Steering Committee and network identified the topic of GM trees as one that is both important and contentious, and therefore relevant to TFD. The topic also relates to a number of TFD’s earlier initiatives, including that on Intensively-Managed Planted Forests, and to its current initiative on Food, Fuel, Fibre and Forest.