The forest industry has condemned the destruction of hundreds of genetically modified pine trees and is strongly defending Scion forestry research institute's genetic engineering trials.
Intruders broke through security fencing at the Rotorua trial site some time over Easter and destroyed experimental trees that had been planted last year.
The Forest Owners Association says genetic engineering has the potential to reduce the use of herbicides in forest establishment and to eliminate the spread of wilding trees from plantations through developing trees that do not produce seeds.
