|
September 30, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
Statistics released on Monday by
the European Association for
Bioindustries (EuropaBio) indicate an increase in the use of
genetically modified (GM) crops in the year 2008 for many
European countries. Significant increases are evident in the
Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Slovakia. In France, the
cultivation of GM crops has not been allowed in 2008.
In Europe this year, 108,000 hectares were dedicated to Bt
maize. Despite the cultivation ban in France in 2008, the GM
cultivation area only slightly decreased compared to 2007
(110,000 hectares). In 2007, French farmers had grown GM maize
on 21,000 hectares.
Rumania has shown the largest increase in GMO acreage and
currently grows GM maize on more than 7,000 hectares. This
represents an increase of almost 20-fold in comparison to 2007.
Other countries with significant increases include Poland, which
has increased its acreage 9-fold to 3,000 hectares this year.
Slovakia has more than doubled its GMO cultivation to 1,900
hectares.
In 2008, the Czech Republic planted GM crops on 8,380 hectares
(68% increase) and Germany cultivated GM crops on 3,173 hectares
(39% increase). Portugal and Spain experienced increases of GMO
acreage of 8% and 5%, cultivating on 4,851 and 79,269 hectares
respectively. Accordingly, Spain is still the EU country with
the largest cultivation area of GM maize.
See also on GMO Compass:
GM Crops: Growing around the world
EuropaBio press release:
Latest figures
show that more EU farmers choose to grow biotech crops to boost
their competitiveness, but are the EU’s ag ministers listening? |
|
