Toronto, Ontario, Canada
February 13, 2008
Farmers continue to show
commitment and support for plant biotechnology in Canada and
around the world
Today's farmers are reaping the benefits as the global acreage
of biotech crops continue to rise exponentially. According to
the
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech
Applications (ISAAA), global biotech crop acres have reached
282.4 million acres in 23 countries in 2007, an increase of 12
percent from 2006.
Domestic acceptance of biotech crops has also continued to rise,
with the biotech crop acreage in Canada increasing in 2007 to
over 17 million acres from 15 in 2006 (ISAAA). The majority of
this increase can be attributed to three main crops - soybeans,
corn and canola. CropLife
Canada released two new reports outlining the successful
introduction of GM corn and soybean into the Canadian
marketplace showing that GM soy and corn varieties now each
command approximately 65 percent of the total acres grown.
"The reasons are clear. For farmers, biotech crops provide
increased yields, improved disease and insect resistance, and
more efficient production," states Dr. Lorne Hepworth, President
of CropLife Canada. "In addition to increased productivity per
acre, biotech crops allow for reduced tillage preventing soil
erosion and moisture loss while reducing greenhouse gas
emmisons."
The two new reports, Soybean Crops in Canada: A report on the
successful introduction of GM Soybean into the Canadian
marketplace and Corn Crops in Canada: A report on the
successful introduction of GM Corn into the Canadian marketplace
and the continued co-production of GM and non-GM corn hybrids,
were produced by Andy McCormick, Answers 4 Business and Joe
Colyn, Originz LLC after conducting interviews of stakeholders
ranging from technology developers, seed growers and
distributors, producers, grain handlers and shippers, to
end-processors.
"In 2007, farmers planted over 1.35 million acres of glyphosate
tolerant soybeans representing approximately 65 percent of the
market share," says Dale Petrie, General Manager of the Ontario
Soybean Growers, an organization representing soybean growers in
Ontario. "The main reason behind this rate of adoption is the
ease of production in weed control, no-till farming, and reduced
fuel costs."
GM corn varieites have also increased to over 65 percent of the
market share. Dale Mountjoy, President of the Ontario Corn
Producers' Association, attributes this growth in biotech corn
acres mainly to improved insect resitance. "Eastern Corn Borer
is a significant pest of corn in Canada," said Mountjoy. "Since
the introduction of Bt corn varieties, producers have been able
to effectively manage this pest without the use of insecticides,
which
has helped to increase corn yields and led to the increase in
farmer adoption. As new opportunities for animal feed and
biofuel arise, we expect biotech corn acres will continue to
increase."
Several smaller biotech crops are also being grown in Canada,
including sugar beets for bio-fuel production. P.E.I. farmers
are planing to grow 1,400 hectares of GM sugar beets in 2008,
and expect that number to double in 2009.
"By supporting the use of GM crops in Canada, we are clearing
the way to ensure Canadian farmers are on the leading edge of
agricultural innovation to meet the evolving needs of farmers
and consumers at large," said Hepworth.
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GM
and non-GM Soybean in the Canadian Marketplace: A
report on the successful introduction of GM Soybean
into the Canadian marketplace |
Executive Summary
A decade since the introduction of Genetically
Modified (GM) soybeans, the adoption of herbicide
tolerant (HT) soybean for the commodity soybean oil
crush market has become standard practice. The GM
soybean market share continues to increase as
growers realize production benefits in weed control
and better land stewardship through the easier
adoption of no-till planting. HT soy has been
adopted by over 80 percent of farmers growing for
the domestic crush market sector and has allowed the
Canadian commodity soybean production base to
compete effectively with HT soybeans from the USA
and HT canola from western Canada in supplying the
local crush markets.
Along with the commodity bean market, a vibrant food
grade soybean production base has existed for more
than 30 years in Canada, particularly south-western
Ontario and Northern Tier soybean growing areas.
Export markets for food grade soybeans have not
accepted GM soybeans and as a result the soybean
sector adapted and strengthened its Identity
Preservation (IP) contracting and production
practices to comply. Today GM and non-GM soybeans
co-exist to satisfy these divergent markets and
domestic crush needs.
Overview
The ten-year experience with GM and non-GM soybeans
in Canada has been a success largely because:
- Canada
continues to maintain an Identity Preserved (IP)
non-GM soy market due in part to contract
production and IP programs such as CIPRS
(Canadian Identity Preserved Recognition System.
- Growers have
readily adopted GM soybeans due to the ease of
production and increased return per hectare
- North America
does not require separation of GM and non-GM
soybean varieties, therefore handlers can
leverage their flexible grain handling capacity
and good operating practices
- Technology
developers continue to invest in new
innovations, especially in the area of new
value-added markets in the areas of bio-fuels
and nutritional related traits
- Seed companies
benefit from annual sales and reinvest in
breeding new varieties
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GM and non-GM Corn in the Canadian
Marketplace: A report on the successful
introduction of GM Corn into the Canadian
marketplace and the continued co-production
of GM and non-GM corn hybrids |
Executive
Summary
In the 10 years since Genetically Modified
(GM) corn has been available, it has grown
to command 66% of the seed market. Much of
its successful acceptance in the market can
be attributed to increases in yields and
improved insect resistance. The lack of
major export markets requiring the
segregation of GM and non-GM markets also
played a factor as producers and handlers
are able to manage all varieties in a single
production and handling system, with the
exception of a small European export market,
which has been managed through the Market
Choices program.
Overview
The introduction of GM corn into Canada has
been successful mainly due to:
- Yield
increases that now exceed 33% of 1997
levels attract grower participation.
- The
steady and strong uptake on the part of
growers has supported continued research
and development in new traits and
combinations of traits by the
technology providers and seed companies.
-
Cooperation by all points along the
value chain in developing programs such
as Market Choices and elevator Good
Operating Practices to ensure channeling
is properly managed.
-
Improved farm management opportunities
that herbicide tolerant (HT) and insect
resistant (IR) traits provide for the
grower.
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CropLife Canada is the
trade association representing the manufacturers, developers and
distributors of plant science innovations - pest control
products and plant biotechnology - for use in agriculture, urban
and public
health settings.
Established in 1949, the
Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG) represents 25,000 growers in
Ontario Canada. With a vision of an innovative and profitable
soybean industry OSG's mission is to develop and promote a sound
industry business environment that will allow Ontario soybean
producers the opportunity for viable and profitable ongoing
returns. Operating under the Farm Products Marketing Act, Board
operations are financed by a producer levy of $1.10 per tonne of
each tonne of soybeans marketed in Ontario. Growers are
represented by 15 directors that come from 13 districts across
Ontario. The OSG office is located in Guelph.
The Ontario Corn
Producers' Association (OCPA), founded in 1983, is a
non-profit association representing approximately 21,000 Ontario
corn producers. The association is funded by a refundable
check-off on commercial grain corn sales. Activities of the
organization are directed by a 16-person board of directors
elected annually. Each director operates a farm operation across
Ontario and must produce corn to be eligible to be elected as a
director.
Answers 4 Business
is a consulting firm specializing in collaborative business
solutions. Based out of Richmond Hill, Ontario, the firm is a
reliable provider of valuable thought and knowledge-based supply
chain solutions for clients. They are experts at business
process transformation and change management within
organizations.
Originz, LLC is a
professional service provider delivering "Strategies for Future
Food Systems and a Healthier World". The firm specializes in
strategic planning, business and technology development, and
project management across the food and agriculture sector.
Originz clients include Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs in
need of technical expertise, non-profits, and industry
associations across North America interested in delivering good
food from a vibrant agriculture. |
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