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CSIRO not alone
Daily Telegraph
29/11/05
Your article ‘Superweeds thrive among GM crops’ (29/11/2005) states that CSIRO "challenges” statements made by Charles Benbrook, an international visitor hosted by anti-GM campaigners currently touring Australia. CSIRO is not alone in expressing such thoughts. Weed scientists and gene technologists around the world have critiqued Benbrook's claims and found them to be selective at best.
Australia's cotton growers, who have embraced genetically modified (GM) cotton, can certainly refute Benbrook’s claims about the performance of GM crops. The success of GM cotton in this country is reflected by the fact that 80 per cent of Australia's cotton crop is now dedicated to GM varieties.
This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the GM cotton and carnation experience in Australia. Insect resistant GM cotton has allowed cotton growers to more than halve pesticide applications. Newer GM cotton varieties are predicted to reduce such applications by up to 75 per cent. This is a positive outcome for local communities and the environment.
The use of GM herbicide tolerant crops in the USA has contributed to the uptake of sustainable farming practices which have led to reduced soil erosion, healthier soils, reduced fuel consumption, less sediment and chemical runoff, less dust and smoke pollution and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Australian farmers run businesses. They deserve the opportunity to access new technologies and assess their potential environmental, economic and social benefits.
Organic food is one option available to farmers and consumers, but the majority of the world's crops are now grown through conventional or biotech agriculture. Perhaps Benbrook would do well to focus on the organic industry he represents and leave the 'truth' about GM crops to those who have actually experienced the technology.
Why would 8.25 million farmers worldwide grow GM crops if they were not performing? Let the fact’s speak for themselves.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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