Thank you Madam Chair,

I am speaking on behalf of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network and 46 other groups in Canada that are in strong agreement with our international partners - that a suspension of field trials, plantings and commercial use of genetically engineered trees is vital to the protection of forests and forest biodiversity in Canada and across the world.

It is the unintentional transboundary movement of pollen and seed that requires a decision from the CBD and from COP9 – a decision that urges Parties not to approve releases - we see this suspension of releases as the required and explicit interpretation of the precautionary principle.

This is the interpretation of the precautionary principle that civil society expects of the CBD – we expect Parties to do all they can to stop irreversible contamination of global forests.

A fundamental principle based on an accepted norm of customary international law– Article 3 - of the CBD is the responsibilities of Parties “to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other states or areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction”.

This principle is critically relevant to the transboundary contamination risks of genetically engineered trees.