The growth of genetically engineered food crops has been strong in a handful of nations, but may be slowing as the technology bumps up against unreceptive governments, especially in Africa and Europe, according to a new report by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.
CBAN today issued the report — Where in the World are GM Crops and Foods? — detailing how widespread biotech crops are in Canada and the world and which genetically engineered food products are most likely on grocery store shelves.
“The fact that there is no labelling requirement for (GE products) in the grocery store means that there is no information for consumers about where they are,” said CBAN coordinator Lucy Sharratt.
Government and industry data suggest that more than 11 million hectares of Canadian farmland — around 17 per cent — are cultivated with GE crops.
Crops engineered to resist insects and/or herbicides have been widely adopted by farmers in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and India, and to a lesser degree in 23 other nations. Resistance to biotech crops remains high in continental Europe and much of Africa.
GE foods on our shelves, but not cultivated in Canada
- Papaya grown in the U.S. and China may be engineered to resist viruses.
- Yellow crookneck squash grown in the U.S. may be engineered to resist viruses.
- Cottonseed oil from the U.S., China and India may be from plants engineered to resist insects.
- Herbicide-resistant alfalfa is imported from the U.S. as animal feed.
- Dairy products from cows treated with GE growth hormone in the U.S.
Read full, original article: Where in the world are the GMOs?
