GM crops stalled in 2016

Genetically Manipulated (GM) crops grew on less than 13% of global cropland in 2016.

“Two countries that grew GM in 2015 planted none in 2016, reducing GM countries to 26. And around 90% of all GM crops are grown in eight North and South American countries so it is not a global industry,” notes Gene Ethics Director, Bob Phelps.

“In 2015 Burkina Faso grew 400,000 ha of GM cotton but the crop was banned last year, after poor GM fibre quality had ruined the country’s top reputation and down-graded its product.

“Romania had Europe’s longest GM crop history, but just one farmer grew 2.5 ha of commercial GM maize in 2015 and last year Romanian farmers also imposed a national GM ban.

“Only 18 million broad-acre farmers grew GM commodities, for the second year in a row – just 3% of the world’s 570 million growers.

“Yet the ISAAA’s * annual GM crop report crows over a 3% increase in GM plantings in 2016 when the net gain was a marginal 2%, after a fall in 2015. The USA and Brazil – by far the two biggest GM crop countries – drove a small rise in GM plantings while most other countries had minor increases or declines.

“Most GM crops – soy, corn, canola, cotton and sugarbeet – still contain only the two GM crop traits first released in 1996 – Roundup weed killer tolerance and Bt insect toxins.

“More complex traits – drought and salt tolerance; nitrogen fixation in grains; more nutritious foods; higher yields; etc. – were long promised but never delivered.

“Most GM crops are sold for animal feed, biofuel production, or fibre, as few people willingly eat them.

“Big agricultural ingredient suppliers like Cargill are responding to strong shopper demand for GM-free labelled foods and ingredients in North America, driving a return to conventional varieties.

“Faced with failure, GM seed companies are merging and cross-licensing their seeds and traits to stay viable. Soon three agrochemical and seed giants – Bayer/Monsanto; ChemChina/Syngenta; and Dow/Dupont – will own over 70% of all commercial crop seed globally, including all GM varieties.

“It’s time to accept that Genetically Manipulated crops have stalled and to move on,” Mr Phelps concludes.

* http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/52/pressrelease/pdf/B52-PressRelease-English.pdf

** http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/attacks-on-cargill-over-non-gmo-moves-based-on-fear_us_58ffb28ce4b0938fb73e9637
Bob Phelps, Gene Ethics