INT – GM CROP BENEFITS CONTINUE


INT – GM CROP BENEFITS CONTINUE

Media release. Source: PG Economics, www.pgeconomics.co.uk

Crop biotechnology continues to provide major environmental benefits and allow farmers to grow more, using fewer resources. A majority of these benefits are in developing countries.

‘In the 17th year of widespread adoption, crops developed through genetic modification delivered more environmentally friendly farming practices while providing clear improvements to farmer productivity and income’ said Graham Brookes, director of PG Economics, co-author of the repor

‘Half of the farm income gains and the majority of the environmental gains associated with changes in pesticide use and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions occurred in developing countries.’

A few highlights from this comprehensive review are [summarised below]:

  • Crop biotechnology has contributed to significantly reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This results from less fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with GM crops;
  • Crop biotechnology has reduced pesticide spraying (1996-2012) by 503 million kg (-8.8%). This is equal to the total amount of pesticide active ingredient applied to arable crops in the EU 27 for nearly two crop years;
  • The insect resistant (IR) technology used in cotton and corn has consistently delivered yield gains from reduced pest damage;
  • The herbicide tolerant (HT) technology used in soybeans and canola has also contributed to increased production in some countries;
  • Between 1996 and 2012, crop biotechnology was responsible for an additional 122 million tonnes of soybeans and 231 million tonnes of corn. The technology has also contributed an extra 18.2 million tonnes of cotton lint and 6.6 million tonnes of canola;
  • GM crops are allowing farmers to grow more without using additional land;
  • The highest yield gains were obtained by farmers in developing countries, many of which are resource-poor and farm small plots of land;
  • The total farm income gain of $116.6 billion was divided equally between farmers in developing and developed countries.