Australia
November 28, 2008
GM crops to reduce our carbon
footprint
The Grains Council of
Australia supports the development of genetically modified
(GM) crops, at a time when global food security and combating
climate change is critical. Grains Council Chairman Murray Jones
said GM crops have the potential to deliver significant on-farm
benefits including increased yields and increased risk
management, reduced on-farm costs and reduced environmental
impacts.
“As growers, we need to constantly be looking at ways to adapt
to climate change and reduce our carbon footprint.
“GM varieties have delivered environmental benefits in soil
management and reducing the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions
through reduced cultivation,” Mr Jones said. Mr Jones said that
there are precedents within Australia highlighting the benefits
of GM crops.
Research undertaken by Charles Sturt University and Melbourne
University has shown that GM canola provides significant
potential benefits including superior weed control, higher
yields, better oil quality, and greater profits over
conventional varieties. Mr Jones said that GM cotton is another
example of a crop that has been commercially grown in New South
Wales and Queensland since 1996 with considerable success.
“GM insect resistant varieties have delivered on overage an 85
per cent reduction in pesticide use which is certainly a good
result for the environment and families in cotton growing
communities.
Mr Jones said that GM crops are safe and offer a choice for both
farmers and consumers.
GM crops, used as food ingredients, have been grown, traded and
consumed around the globe since 1996 and they undergo thorough
scientific assessment.
“We need to dispel the myths around GM crops. The
commercialisation of GM crops has resulted in a reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions and will continue to make important
contributions to our global food security,” he said. |
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