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Aussie facts speak for themselves
Central Western Daily
29/11/05
If the upcoming roadshow by Charles Benbrook (‘Expert visits with warning’, 29/11/2005), hosted by anti-GM campaigners, presented facts then one must ask why 8.25 million farmers around the globe continue to grow these crops.
Australia has had a very positive decade-long history with GM cotton. As a result of its success, 80 per cent of our cotton crop, grown in New South Wales and Queensland, is now comprised of GM varieties. Insect resistant GM cotton has allowed growers to more than halve pesticide applications, and newer GM cotton varieties are predicted to reduce applications by up to 75 per cent. Herbicide tolerant GM cotton has also allowed a reduction in herbicide use.
Although there has been some small increases in the total weight of herbicides applied to herbicide tolerant GM soybeans in the USA (where glyphosate often replaces other herbicides that are more persistent in the environment), studies on USA herbicide use across all GM crops show there has been an overall decrease in use.
The use of GM herbicide tolerant crops has contributed to the uptake of conservation tillage practices in the USA. Reduced tillage leads to environmental benefits such as reduced soil erosion, improved moisture content in soil, healthier soil, reduced fuel use because of less plowing, less sediment and chemical runoff, less dust and smoke pollution and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Perhaps Charles Benbrook would do well to focus on the organic industry that he represents and leave the 'truth' about GM crops to those who have actually experienced the technology. Australian farmers run businesses. They deserve the opportunity to assess new technologies. Let the facts and the Australian experience, speak itself.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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