Genetically Modified (GM) crops have generated significant environmental improvements over the past 20 years in Australia and 25 other countries while stimulating strong economic growth, a new report has revealed.
The UK-based PG Economics report “GM crops: global socio-economic and environmental impacts 1996-2015”, has prompted CropLife Australia CEO Matthew Cossey to use its findings to demand the removal of state-based moratoria on crop biotechnology that “don’t make sense”.
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“With GM cotton accounting for almost all cotton production in Australia, cotton farmers had a net farm income gain of more than US$55.8 million in 2015, and cumulatively since 1996 the gains have been US$949m,” [Cossey] said.
“The average Australian farmer growing GM canola in 2015 had an average net increase in gross margins of US$38 per hectare, which is a national gain of nearly US$17m in farm income.”
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Australia has grown GM cotton since 1996 and GM canola since 2008 in NSW and Vitoria and WA since 2010.
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“When farmers are given access and the opportunity of growing GM crops, they can grow more on less land, increase crop yields, contribute to international competitiveness, and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact.” [Mr. Cossey said.]
[Read the full report here.]
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: New report reignites calls to drop GM crop bans
