Australia
March 30, 2007
Source:
CSIRO
Is the expansion of genetically
modified (GM) crops still seen as risky or will it in fact help
with the doubling of the food supply required as Earth’s
population hits nine billion within the next 40 years?
The latest Ecos magazine presents the views of experts from both
sides of the debate on GM technology’s role.
Ten years after the first GM crops were planted, evidence is
mounting that the technology can increase crop yields with
apparently little environmental impact, particularly in
developing countries. In India, for example, GM cotton has
increased yields by around 150 per cent, trebled small farmers’
profits, and reduced pesticide volumes by 80 per cent. In
Australia, GM cotton has also significantly decreased pesticide
use while raising farmers’ yields.
Anti-GM groups, however, argue that in many developing
countries, GM crops are now grown mainly for export by big
farmers, not for local consumption, and that there are big
effects of this monoculture cropping.
Most Australian states, including Victoria and New South Wales,
have imposed moratoria on GM crops until 2008. But according to
a 2005 ABARE report, ongoing moratoria could result in Australia
losing billions of dollars in foregone profits over the next
decade, particularly as global warming impacts crop
environments.
University of Melbourne agronomist Dr Rob Norton claims that the
vigorous seedling growth of hybrid GM canolas helps them compete
against weeds and shortens the interval to harvest, reducing
exposure to heat at the end of the growing season, and meaning
less irrigation is required. This trait would allow canola
plantings to be expanded into drier areas, potentially boosting
annual Australian production of canola by 295, 000 tonnes
annually.
ECOS is a bimonthly colour, subscriber publication covering
environmental and sustainable development issues relevant to
Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Issue 135 is available at
major national newsagents or online at:
www.publish.csiro.au/ecos.
Gaining ground -
Debating the growing impact of GM agriculture
Graeme O'Neill
A decade on since the advent of genetically modified (GM)
crops, their environmental and production credentials are
able to be better assessed. But the role of GM agriculture
in the 21st century is still being fiercely debated.
http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=EC135p18.pdf
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FAST FACTS |
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The latest Ecos magazine
presents the views of experts
from both sides of the debate on
GM technology’s role.
Ten years after the first GM
crops were planted, evidence is
mounting that the technology can
increase crop yields with
apparently little environmental
impact, particularly in
developing countries.
In
Australia, GM cotton has also
significantly decreased
pesticide use while raising
farmers’ yields.
Anti-GM groups, however, argue
that in many developing
countries, GM crops are now
grown mainly for export by big
farmers, not for local
consumption, and that there are
big effects of this monoculture
cropping. |
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