Agribusiness' claims that genetically engineered (GE) crops reduce pesticide use have been repeatedly challenged by their critics. A new report from Chuck Benbrook addresses this debate exploring the impact of GE corn, soybean, and cotton on pesticide use in the United States (US). Drawing principally on data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Benbrook finds that GE crops have been responsible for an increase of 173,500 tonnes of herbicide use in the US over the first 13 years of commercial use (1996-2008). This dramatic increase swamps the decrease in insecticide use attributable to GE corn and cotton, making the overall chemical footprint of today's GE crops decidedly negative. The report identifies the primary cause of the increase - the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds.
展开▼
