Food production without the use of glyphosate (commonly sold as Roundup) to control weeds, will mean increased food prices.
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Glyphosate continues to be in the news because of actual and forecast court cases against Monsanto. This is despite the fact that no scientific research has shown a link to human health issues when glyphosate is used as directed.
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An Oxford Economics report for the UK forecast a reduction in area of 20 per cent for wheat grown and 37 per cent for oilseed rape (canola) if glyphosate was banned. In addition, yields on the reduced area would also be reduced: 12 per cent for wheat and 14 per cent for oilseed rape.
Labor productivity would decrease by 10 per cent and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) would decrease by 13.9 per cent. This in [New Zealand] where only 25 per cent of farms actually make money from farming….
A report from Germany suggested that ‘where the cultivation of certain crops is no longer profitable, their production would either need to be subsidized, or farmers would need to switch to the cultivation of other crops.’
Loss of competitiveness in food production and the potential to affect global food prices were highlighted because of the knock-on effects on the economy.
Read full, original article: Jacqueline Rowarth: Will consumers pay up for glyphosate-free production?
