The Canadian Forest Service has provided this document to encourage an exchange of views among members of the public and representatives of interested organizations regarding the following aspects of the R & D effort on baculoviruses of spruce budworm control: 1) the type of scientific experiments that occurred and may occur in the future; 2) the types of environmental risks associated with this application of genetic engineering technology; 3) the benefits to be derived from these applications in terms of forest insect management; and, an introduction to the Canadian regulatory system for biotechnology applications. Also, addresses are provided where further information may be obtained. Finally, this document is accompanied by a technical description of genetically modified baculoviuses.