American farmers have adopted genetically engineered (GE) crops widely
since their introduction in 1996, especially corn, cotton and soybean
varieties, according to a new USDA report.
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) report, Adoption
of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. was released July 2,
2008. Key findings include:
Adoption of GE soybeans with HT (herbicide-tolerant) traits reached 92
percent in 2008.
Adoption of all GE cotton, taking into account the acreage with either
or both HT and Bt (insect-resistant) traits, reached 86 percent in
2008.
Adoption of all biotech corn was 80 percent in 2008.
Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture
for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following
statement in response to the report’s findings:
“The USDA survey data further illustrates what
we have known all along, that biotechnology is providing solutions for
today’s farmers in the form of plants that
yield more per acre and reduce farmers’
production costs while being resistant to disease and insect pests.
“In 2007, 282 million acres of biotech crops
were planted in 23 countries by 12 million farmers. We expect this
growing trend to continue, especially at a time when the United States
and the world are looking for science-based solutions to rising food and
fuel prices.
“With the help of plant biotechnology, corn
productivity has increased more than 33.1 percent and soybean
productivity has increased 17 percent. Biotech crops have the potential
to increase productivity by another 25 percent worldwide. The next
generation of biotech crops, with resistance to additional diseases and
environmental stresses like drought and the ability to better use soil
nutrients, will boost productivity even more.
“Additionally, ag biotechnology has
substantial environmental benefits because biotech crop varieties
require less cultivation and fewer pesticide applications, thereby
saving fuel and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions into the air. This also improves soil health and water
retention.
“The findings of this report prove that
American farmers recognize how biotechnology improves their bottom line
by reducing their costs and increasing crop productivity. Our members
have made it their business to provide solutions for the challenges that
exist in agriculture, and science is providing the tools that the world
is beginning to embrace.”
The report summarizes the extent of adoption of herbicide-tolerant and
insect–resistant crops since their
introduction in 1996. Three tables within the report devoted to corn,
cotton, and soybeans cover the 2000-08 period by U.S. state.
A copy of the USDA ERS report, Adoption of Genetically Engineered
Crops in the U.S. (July 2, 2008) including data tables is posted at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/#2008-7-2.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations
across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members
are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare,
agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO
also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s
largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with
industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.
Upcoming BIO Events
--
Pacific Rim Summit on
Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
Sept. 10-12, 2008
Vancouver, BC
--
BIO Investor Forum 2008
October 29-31, 2008
San Francisco, CA
--
BIO-Europe 2008
November 17-19, 2008
Mannheim/Heidelberg, Germany
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