Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom
June 8, 2009
Source:
PG Economics
“GM insect
resistant maize adoption by EU farmers has contributed to
reducing insecticide spraying, improved the quality of maize and
significantly boosted farmers’ incomes,” said Graham Brookes,
director of PG Economics, and author of the report. “The
technology has made important contributions to increasing
yields, reducing production risks and improving productivity.
These benefits are, however, being denied to farmers and
citizens alike in several maize-growing EU Member States, with
the biggest losers being the very countries which have
effectively banned the use of the technology; Italy, France,
Germany and Austria”
Previewing
the findings of the comprehensive study, the key findings are:
-
In maize
growing regions affected by corn boring pests, the main
impact has been higher yields compared to conventional maize
(average yield benefits of +10%);
-
In
2007, users of GM IR maize *
earned average, additional income levels of +€186/ha (range
of +€25 to +€201/ha). Across all users of the technology,
the total increase in farm income directly attributable to
the technology in 2007 was +€20.6 million;
-
In certain
regions, GM IR maize has delivered important improvements in
grain quality from significant reductions in the levels of
mycotoxins found in the grain;
-
Where
maize growers have traditionally used insecticides to
control corn boring pests, the switch to using GM IR
technology has resulted in important reductions in
insecticides use and its associated environmental impact
(notably in Spain);
-
The
potential EU adoption area for GM IR maize is between 2.25
million ha and 4 million ha, depending on the annual levels
of pest pressure. At these levels of adoption, the annual
direct farm income benefit potential is €160 million and
€247 million. Across the EU only between 8% and 12% of this
total potential benefit is being realised;
-
The
countries currently foregoing the largest economic
gains from GM IR maize technology are Italy, France and
Germany, followed by Austria and Romania;
-
Annual
savings of between 0.41 million kg and 0.7 million kg of
insecticide active ingredient could be realised if GM IR
maize technology was used on its full potential area. At
present, only between 14% and 25% of the total potential
environmental benefit from reduced insecticide use is being
realised;
-
Spain is
the only EU member state where GM IR maize adoption levels
are currently delivering farm income and environmental gains
at or near full potential levels;
-
The
countries currently foregoing the largest
environmental benefits that might reasonably be realised
from the use of GM IR maize are Italy, France and Germany**.
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