Fwd: GMW:_GM_increasing_pesticide_use_-_non-GM_doing_the_opposite

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GMW:_GM_increasing_pesticide_use_-_non-GM_doing_the_opposite

" GM_WATCH "

Thu, 22 Jan 2004 16:20:21 GMT

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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In the following letter Dr Bert Christie, a Canadian agrologist, not only draws

attention to how the recent Benbrook study demolishes the constantly repeated

claim that GM crops reduce pesticide use, showing the opposite is the case in

the longer term, but he also notes:

 

" Dr. Benbrook's study also points out the often ignored fact that growers of

conventional (non-GM) crops are reducing the use of chemicals substantially,

without turning to GM technology. "

---

GM crop technology needs more study to settle the controversies

The Guardian (Charlottetown, Canada), January 22, 2004 [via Agnet]

 

Bert Christie, Ph.D., of Stratford, a professional agrologist, writes that any

discussion of genetically modified (GM) crops or of the foods derived from such

crops generates a lot of discussion.

 

In a recent commentary 'Banning genetically modified crops would be a backward

step' (The Guardian, Jan. 14, 2004), Jay M. Holmes makes the claim that GM crops

reduce pesticide use, and suggests that the Island should not turn its back on a

technology which has the potential to reduce pesticide use, and thus, reduce

pesticide runoff.

As always, no data are presented to support that claim.

 

Fortunately, Dr. Charles Benbrook, a researcher from Idaho, has recently

published a report entitled: 'Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on

Pesticide Use in the United States: the First Eight Years'. Dr. Benbrook is a

private consultant and undertook this study at the request of a number of

organizations, including Iowa State University and the Consumers Union. He

studied the use of pesticides on GM and non-GM varieties of corn, cotton and

soybeans, during the crops years of 1996 though to 2003. (The full report can be

found on the internet at http://www.biotech-info.net/Technical_Paper_6.pdf)

 

Dr. Benbrook found that farmers who grew genetically altered herbicide-tolerant

varieties did indeed reduce the amount of chemicals for the first two or three

years, but then, herbicide use increased. For GM corn, by 2003, the amount of

chemical herbicide applied per acre was greater than that applied to non-GM

corn. Dr. Benbrook suggested that the use of one chemical as the sole source of

weed control led to resistance to the herbicide in weed populations " triggering

the need for additional herbicides and/or increased rates of

application. " During the same time that herbicide use was increasing on GM corn

it was declining for non-GM corn. This has been a trend since the early 1980s.

By 2003, the average rate of herbicides applied to GM corn was 2.40 pounds per

acre. As a result, the use of GM corn hybrids increased pesticide use by an

estimated 70 million pounds. On the other hand, the average rate for non-GM corn

was 1.81 pounds per acre. The decline in the use of chemicals on non-GM corn was

attributed to the desire of farmers to reduce chemical dependency coupled with

the use of other practices to control weeds; chemical and non-chemical.

 

Similar results were reported for the GM herbicide tolerant cotton and soybeans.

 

In the case of corn and cotton, genetically engineered to have the Bt gene for

insect control, insecticide use has indeed declined. Dr. Benbrook estimates that

the introduction of Bt corn and cotton has lead to a seven per cent reduction in

insecticide use on those two crops; or about 2.3 million pounds.

 

These results show that it is not possible to substantiate blanket statements

that the use of GM crops will reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Each case

needs to be considered on its own merits.

 

Dr. Benbrook's study also points out the often ignored fact that growers of

conventional (non-GM) crops are reducing the use of chemicals substantially,

without turning to GM technology.

 

 

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