Modified eucalyptus approved in Brazil
Suzano Papel e Celulose said that its subsidiary, FuturaGene Brasil has received approval from the National Biosafety Technical Commission for the commercial use of yield-enhanced genetically modified eucalyptus in Brazil.
The yield increase provided by the genetically modified eucalyptus will provide economic, environmental and social benefits. The economic benefits include increased competitiveness for the Brazilian forestry sector. The main environmental benefits derived from using less land to produce more fiber will include lowered carbon emission through the reduction of distance between the forests and the mills, reduced use of chemical inputs and greater availability of land for other purposes, such as conservation and food production.
Brazil is the first country to complete the development cycle of such a technology.
For Stanley Hirsch, FuturaGene CEO, the approval of this technology represents a breakthrough for the forestry industry:
“Producing more wood without increasing the use of natural resources is a constant challenge for all industry players. We are very proud to have developed an innovative technology that is capable of potentiating forestry industry competitiveness while benefitting society as a whole”.