February 27, 2008

Biotech Crop Growth Increased Worldwide, Says ISAAA

After a dozen years of commercialization, biotech crops continue to gain ground with another year of double-digit growth and new countries joining the list of supporters, according to a report released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). In 2007, biotech crop area grew 12 percent or 12.3 million hectares to reach 114.3 million hectares.

According to ISAAA's study, an additional 2 million farmers planted biotech crops last year, bringing the total to 12 million globally. ISAAA says that 90 percent of the farmers who grow biotech crops own very small plots of land, if any, and live in the developing world. Growing biotech cash crops allows these farmers to increase their income and better afford food, education and other social services, according to the report.

"With increasing food prices globally, the benefits of biotech crops have never been more important," says Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA and the report’s author. "Already those farmers who began adopting biotech crops a few years ago are beginning to see socio-economic advantages compared to their peers who haven’t adopted the crops."

ISAAA says the number of biotech crop countries, crops and acreage are on course to double between 2006 and 2015, due in large part to the increasing adoption of genetically modified crops by China, India and other developing countries that want plants that can withstand drought or enhanced nutrient content.

"Much progress has been made in the first 12 years of commercialization of biotech crops, but progress to date is just the 'tip of the iceberg,'" notes the report.

The United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and India continue to account for the majority of biotech acres. According to the report, Burkina Faso, Egypt and possibly Vietnam are the next mostly likely countries to approve biotech crops. Australia is field testing drought-tolerant wheat and two states recently lifted a four-year ban on biotech canola. Biotech crops have been commercially grown since 1996 and now include soy, corn, cotton, canola, squash, papaya, alfalfa, sweet peppers, petunias, carnations, and poplar trees.

ISAAA’s report was entirely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Ibercaja, one of the largest Spanish banks, and the Bussolera-Branca Foundation from Italy.

"Biotech Crops Put Down Roots; Farmers plant more acres," Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

"Use of Genetically Modified Seeds Surged in 2007," Rachel Melcer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)

"Biotech: Plantings Rose 12 Percent in 2007," Lauren Morello, Greenwire

"Biotech Crops Experience Remarkable Dozen Years of Double-Digit Growth," ISAAA Brief 37-2007: Press Release

Biotech Corn Gains Ground In Philippines, Says Study

Filipino farmers planted 300,000 hectares, about 50 percent more biotech corn in 2007 than they did the year before, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications’ (ISAAA) new study.

Biotech plantings "will really increase, especially as the economy grows. As more people are able to eat meat, feed millers will demand more corn, which the farmers will provide," says Nina G. Barzaga, president and chief executive officer of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines.

Delson B. Sonza, a Filipino farmer and businessman, says he sees wide acceptance of insect- and herbicide-resistant corn among farmers. He says the technology's "adaptability" and bigger earnings will drive farmers to plant more biotech crops.

Clive James, ISAAA’s chairman, says industrial countries will continue to be the largest biotech crop producers. This will continue as the technology penetrates Asia, and with demand for biofuels boosting corn use. "The challenge for the Philippines is to participate to continue to be the leader," James said.

"Biotech and GMO Use on the Rise in RP," Eric B. Dorente, BusinessWorld

British Farmers Left Behind as World Increases Biotech Acreage

Britain’s National Farmers' Union chief science and regulatory affairs adviser Helen Ferrier says the growth of biotech crops around the world is an indication that British farmers are being left behind as competitors are realizing the benefits of biotech crops.

The Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC) said there has been a 70-fold increase in GM crops over the last decade, and farmers chose to grow them because of the better yields, environmental benefits and lower pesticide use.

Europe saw a 77 percent growth in biotech crops in 2007, with more than 100,000 hectares cultivated mostly in Spain, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications’ latest report.

Dr. Julian Little, chairman of ABC, also said, "GM crops are one of a range of tools that have the potential to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the environmental footprint of agriculture."

"GM Crops Use Rises By 12%," The Journal (Newcastle, UK)

63 Percent Increase in Indian Biotech Cotton Acres, Says ISAAA

Biotech cotton plantings in India surged 63 percent to 6.2 million hectares in 2007, up from 3.8 million hectares in 2006, according to the newest study from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). The study also notes 1.5 million more Indian farmers chose to plant biotech cotton in 2007 than did in 2006, bringing the total number to 3.8 million.

Clive James, ISAAA’s chairman, says India has seen tremendous growth in the use of biotech cotton. "There has been 125-fold rise in area under biotech crop in India in the last six years, while globally it is only 67-fold increase in 12 years," he notes.

"Bt Cotton Acreage Jumps By 63 pc in 2007: Study," The Press Trust of India

Despite Misinformation Campaign, Farmers Benefit From Biotech Crops

In a recent column, Ronald Bailey, author and science correspondent for Reason magazine says Friends of the Earth (FOE) continues to spread misinforms about biotech crops. Bailey takes issue with the anti-biotech group’s latest report, "Who Benefits from GM Crops?," which was published to counter the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications' annual global assessment of biotech crops.

Bailey’s column takes on each of FOE’s claims that biotech crops yield less than conventional crops; harm the environment; are technologically stagnant; have done nothing to help poor farmers; and are monopolized by a few giant corporations. Bailey concludes that "if biotech crops did not deliver their promised benefits, farmers around the world would not be adopting them at exponential rates. Not even FOE's most determined efforts to spread anti-biotech misinformation can obscure this plain fact."

"Are Farmers Stupid, or Deluded, or Both?," Ronald Bailey, Reason.com

Continued EU Bans on Biotech Crops Tests U.S. Patience

U.S. trade representatives and elected officials’ patience with the European Union (EU) is wearing thin over the continued refusal to allow the import of most biotech crops. Even after the 2006 World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the 27-member EU had deliberately slowed down the approval of new biotech food and crops for years, the EU has shown little sign of changing its stance.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab have both suggested that trade sanctions might be needed to force the EU to comply with the WTO’s ruling. According to Grassley, "the failure to approve these products is based on politics, not science." He points out that the bans continue "although their own scientists and others insist that (the products are) perfectly safe."

"Biotech Ban Harmful U.S. Farmers Ultimately Pay for the Delay in Import of Crops," Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska)