Biotech is Revolutionising Agriculture

Few technologies have offered so much and at the same time been demonised by so many as genetically modified crops.

Well we now have thousands of detailed evaluations based on over eight years of large scale commercial use.  And the evidence comes down overwhelmingly in favour of the technology.  Indeed the evidence is so powerful it brings into question the credibility and standing of the many anti-biotech groups.

The only GM crop currently grown commercially in Australia is BT cotton and it has proven to be highly popular with farmers (Commercial planting of GM canola is expected to start this year).  Cotton farmers have consistently planted as much of GM variety as the regulars allow.  The reason is that it has allowed them to cut their pesticide use over 50%.  Moreover the largest cuts have been in the most costly and dangerous types of pesticide.  This has translated into lower costs and higher profits as well as a huge reduction environmental impact and a new variety of BT cotton is in test stage which offers even larger reduction in pesticide use and costs.

The Australian results for GM cotton have been duplicated around the world with rapid up-take in all major cotton growing nations.  The results from China and Indonesia are particularly heartening.  In these countries most cotton is grown by small farmers who apply pesticide via handheld sprayers.  This has lead to very high rates of poisoning of farmers -- around 30 per cent in China -- using non-GM cotton.  Recent studies have shown that GM cotton has cut pesticide use by 60 per cent and cut the rate of human poisoning by 75 per cent.

While not currently grown in Australia, GM soybean is the most widely grown GM crop accounting for 74 per cent of North American soy crop.  GM soy has not only led to lower pesticide use (by 40 per cent) but higher returns (up by 30 per cent).  Importantly it has facilitated no-till farming which helps preserve soil and wildlife habitat.

Importantly none of the many scares promoted by the anti-GM activist has proven accurate.  There has been no spread of "the super-weed".  GM crops have proven to be help to Monarch butterfly and to honey bee populations not harmful.  GM crops have increased farm income not reduced it.  And small farmers in developing countries have been amongst the largest beneficiaries.

While the European Union has done its best to stop the spread of the technology -- including providing $350 million to anti-GM activist organisation -- all indicators including allowable countries, acreage and crop types continues to expand.

Importantly we are starting to see new types of "medicinal GM crops".  Golden rice which has been developed with added Vitamin A to help combat blindness in children will enter commercial use this year.  Trials will begin this year on drought resistant wheat and "waterless rice".

Unfortunate the success of the technology has had no impact on its opponents.  They have continued their campaign to stop the technology and its benefits.  That they call themselves environmentalist or humanitarian is a Monty Pythonish joke.

Lets hope science and sense rule over propaganda and greed.

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