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Scientists at the University of Washington have succeeded in developing genetically engineered poplar trees that can break down a host of highly toxic industrial pollutants into harmless by-products.

The use of plants to clean up environmental contamination, known as phytoremediation, is emerging as an increasingly appealing way to clean up industrial messes. Previously, phytoremediation approaches have been limited because problem areas often are contaminated with more than one toxic chemical. Not only can these poplars handle multiple hydrocarbon contaminants including chloroform, benzene, and trichloroethylene but also metabolise the pollutants into small amounts of water, carbon dioxide, and harmless salts.

The lab studies showed that the poplars were 100 times better than their unmodified counterparts at removing trichloroethylene. The trees also were effective at taking in pollutants from the air and breaking them down in their leaves.

The next step is to see how the trees perform in the field. Initial experiments will make sure that the trees themselves have no unintended negative effects on insects and wildlife. The researchers also have proposed ways to prevent the trees from spreading into natural environments.

In the future, these poplars may be planted at selected sites plagued by polluted runoff from petroleum refineries or from the production of plastics.

The European Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, has spoken out against the approval of two genetically modified maize lines for cultivation in the EU. His opinions address the Bt11 maize developed by Syngenta as well as the 1507 maize developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred to combine resistance to insects and herbicides.

Both applications had been pending for years. After assessment of the products by the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission currently is preparing a recommended decision. Dimas explained his negative attitude towards the maize lines by stating first that “possible long-term risks to the environment and biodiversity are not completely known” and, secondly, that “environmental effects resulting from the cultivation of the GM maize lines are unacceptable”. Within the Commission, Dimas appears to be isolated in regard to this question. According to a report by the Reuters news agency, all other representatives in the 27-member Commission expressed disagreement with Dimas on the issue.

A spokesperson from Pioneer declared the concerns raised by Dimas to be unfounded. EFSA experts in January 2005 already had pronounced 1507 maize to be exactly as safe as conventional maize. Since the Commission repeatedly has postponed the due decision on approval, Pioneer submitted a legal complaint in May.

Rules for the usage of GMOs in France might become tougher according to recent environment discussions in the country. The “Grenelle de l’environnement”, a current large-scale, four-month French forum on environmental issues organised by the French government, is aimed at providing a stage for the development of national environmental policies including the future regulations of GM crops.

Basic changes in French agricultural policy appear likely. A working group on GMOs has suggested new legislation oriented towards transparency and towards the freedom of choice for farmers and for consumers. Such laws also would regulate coexistence more strictly and enact the ‘causer’ principle, under which users of GMOs retain ultimate responsibility for the control of their crops. Announcements of environment minister Jean-Louis Borloo considering even a ban on the usage of GM seeds had caused an outrage among farmers’, seed producers’ and grain processors’ organisations. Yet, after their protests, this issue does not appear in the final working group proposals.

Further suggestions by the working group include increased research on biotechnology and its effects, as well as the establishment of an independent national advisory body.

New agricultural policies may exert influence even beyond French borders. French representatives to the Council of Ministers abstained from voting on the EU import approval of three GM maize lines in September, and French veto could hinder current negotiations on the extension of approval for MON810 maize. MON810 is the only GM maize approved to date for cultivation in the EU.

During October, public consultations will take place in 15 cities throughout France and on the internet. President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to announce by the end of October the government’s conclusions on national positions and administrative plans regarding biotechnology.