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Global impact of Biotech crops: Global impact of Biotech crops: economic & environmental effects economic & environmental effects
1996-20061996-2006
Graham BrookesGraham BrookesPG Economics UKPG Economics UK
Report is in peer reviewed journal: AgbioForum Report is in peer reviewed journal: AgbioForum (2008) 11, (1) 21-38 (2008) 11, (1) 21-38 www.agbioforum.org. Also . Also peer reviewed paper on impact of bt maize in peer reviewed paper on impact of bt maize in Europe in Journal of Biotechnology vol 10 2/3 Europe in Journal of Biotechnology vol 10 2/3 20082008
1996-20061996-2006 Impact on farm income, yield, productionImpact on farm income, yield, production Environmental impact from pesticide useEnvironmental impact from pesticide use Environmental impact - greenhouse gas Environmental impact - greenhouse gas
2006: farm income benefit $6.9 2006: farm income benefit $6.9 billionbillion
2006: equiv to adding value to global 2006: equiv to adding value to global production of soybeans, corn, cotton production of soybeans, corn, cotton and canola of 3.8%and canola of 3.8%
53% of farm income gain in 2006 to 53% of farm income gain in 2006 to farmers in developing countriesfarmers in developing countries
Crop: facilitation of 2nd crop soybeans: +50.9 m tonnes
Crop: corn – first used in 2005 +9% to yield for early adopters
Canada & US (1996 & 1999)
Crop: canola +10% & +6% on yield respectively. Production
+3.2 m tonnes
Paraguay (1999)
Crop: facilitation of 2nd crop soybeans: +2.2 m
tonnes
Impact on pesticide useImpact on pesticide use
Since 1996 use of pesticides down by 286 Since 1996 use of pesticides down by 286 m kg (-7.9%) & associated environmental m kg (-7.9%) & associated environmental impact -15.4% - equivalent to total EU (27) impact -15.4% - equivalent to total EU (27) pesticide active ingredient use on arable pesticide active ingredient use on arable crops in one yearcrops in one year
Largest environmental gains from GM IR Largest environmental gains from GM IR cotton: savings of 5.6 million kg insecticide cotton: savings of 5.6 million kg insecticide use & 25% reduction in associated use & 25% reduction in associated environmental impact of insecticidesenvironmental impact of insecticides
Reduced fuel use (less Reduced fuel use (less spraying & tillage) = spraying & tillage) = 1.2 billion kg less 1.2 billion kg less carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide
Facilitation of no/low Facilitation of no/low till systems = 13.5 till systems = 13.5 billion kg of carbon billion kg of carbon dioxide not released dioxide not released into atmosphereinto atmosphere
Technology used by over 10 m farmers on 100 m Technology used by over 10 m farmers on 100 m ha (2006) – 12 m farmers on 114 m ha in 2007ha (2006) – 12 m farmers on 114 m ha in 2007
Delivered important economic & environmental Delivered important economic & environmental benefitsbenefits
+ $33.8 billion to farm income since 1996+ $33.8 billion to farm income since 1996 -286 m kg pesticides & 15.4% reduction in env -286 m kg pesticides & 15.4% reduction in env
impact associated with pesticide use since 1996impact associated with pesticide use since 1996 Carbon dioxide emissions down by 14.76 billion Carbon dioxide emissions down by 14.76 billion
kg in 2006: equal to 6.56 m cars off the road for a kg in 2006: equal to 6.56 m cars off the road for a yearyear
GM IR technology: improved profits & env GM IR technology: improved profits & env gains from less insecticide usegains from less insecticide use
GM HT technology: combination of direct GM HT technology: combination of direct benefits (mostly cost reductions) & helping benefits (mostly cost reductions) & helping changes to no tillage farming = major changes to no tillage farming = major GHG emission gainsGHG emission gains
Additional production = more trade on Additional production = more trade on world markets = world prices lower than if world markets = world prices lower than if technology not usedtechnology not used
Farm users of Bt corn getting important economic and Farm users of Bt corn getting important economic and environmental gainsenvironmental gains
Bt corn delivering better quality (lower mycotoxins) grain Bt corn delivering better quality (lower mycotoxins) grain (we feed it to animals not humans!)(we feed it to animals not humans!)
Most EU farmers not getting benefit of higher yields and Most EU farmers not getting benefit of higher yields and lower costslower costs
EU farm sector losing out competitively with imports and on EU farm sector losing out competitively with imports and on world marketsworld markets
EU citizens missing out on environmental benefitsEU citizens missing out on environmental benefits Co-existence rules mostly not based on science = indirect Co-existence rules mostly not based on science = indirect