The challenges facing forest geneticists and tree breeders include recognition of changing demands on forests for a wider range of high value forest products and increasing interest on tolerance to pest and diseases and sustainability of forest ecosystems under climate change.

NOVELTREE is designed to enable significant genetic improvement of the composition and characteristics of forest products to satisfy the needs (quality, quantity, sustainability, vulnerability) of consumers and the forest-based sector.

NOVELTREE has received an EC contribution of 4.1 million Euros in the frame of the priority "Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biochemistry for Sustainable Non-Food Products and Processes". This project, started the 1st May 2008, will last for 4 years.

The consortium NOVELTREE, composed of 15 public and private
European partners is coordinated by Catherine
Bastien, from the INRA-Orléans, France