Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use: The First Thirteen Years
Summary posted by Meridian on 12/18/2009
Source: Organic Center
Author: n/a
This report from the U.S.-based Organic Center finds that herbicide use in the U.S. has increased because of the planting of genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant soy, corn, and cotton varieties. GM crops have been responsible for an increase of 383 million pounds of herbicide use in the U.S. over the first 13 years of commercial use of GM crops (1996-2008), the report states. The report finds, in addition, that herbicide use has increased as farmers, especially in the U.S. South, have attempted to combat glyphosate-tolerant weeds by applying more herbicides. The report "draws principally" on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The author of the report, Charles Benbrook, is chief scientist at the Organic Center. The 69-page report is available online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.organic-center.org/science.pest.php?action=view&report_id=159