"Biotech crops were first commercialized in 1996. In 2012, a record 17.3 million farmers grew biotech crops on 170 million hectares. Of the 28 countries that planted biotech crops in 2012, 20 were developing and 8 were industrialized countries. Two new countries, Sudan (Bt cotton) and Cuba (Bt maize) planted genetically modified (GM) crops for the first time in 2012. Over 90% of those who adopted GM crops were small resource-poor farmers in developing countries (isaaa.org). The adoption of Bt crops (i.e. crops expressing a toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, thus conferring insecticide expression by the plant) by smallholders turned out to have a positive impact on the environment, farm income and farmer health. Despite the problems resulting from inappropriate management practices (risks that GM crops and conventional crops have in common), gene technology overall proved to be a worldwide success in terms of value creation, poverty alleviation, land conservation, pesticide reduction and climate change mitigation – and there is no real evidence supporting the argument that genetically modified crops and sustainable agriculture may be incompatible. Yet, the optimistic global situation stands in strong contrast to the situation in Europe and Africa: in 2012, five EU countries planted a mere 129071 hectares of biotech Bt maize of which 116307 hectares are located in Spain, the only European country that has found the technology useful to combat targeted pests in particular regions. In Africa there is only Sudan, Egypt, Burkina Faso and South Africa that have approved GM crops for commercial release. South Africa remains, however, the only significant grower of GM crops with a size of 2.8 million hectares in 2012. Apart from white maize in South Africa, the GM crops that are cultivated in Africa are not designed for food but the production of feed, fuel and fibre" onlinelibrary.wiley/doi/10.1002/biot.201300188/full
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:57:49 +0000
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