WASHINGTON, D.C. – American farmers will plant more biotech crops this
year, with nearly three-quarters of all soybeans and one-third of corn
grown from gene-spliced seeds, the United States Department of
Agriculture says.
USDA estimates on March 28 showed growers continuing to embrace the new
crops that are designed to trim chemical costs and boost yields.
The estimates are based on data submitted by U.S. farmers as they buy
seed and prepare for spring planting. The department will fine-tune its
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forecast in June when actual plantings have been completed.
Critics have urged the government to impose stricter controls and tests
to ensure long-term safety for humans and animals. In February, a
National Academies of Science report urged the USDA to tighten its
reviews of potential environmental effects of new biotech crops before
approving them for commercial use.
Although there is an increase in plantings of gene-altered soybeans,
corn and cotton in 2002, some green groups say consumer concerns about
the safety of such biofood have slowed the introduction of new types of
crops such as potatoes and rice.
“After more than five years of major marketing of biotech varieties,
just two crops still account for almost all of the genetically altered
food sold in U.S. supermarkets,” said Charles Margulis of Greenpeace.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization, a pro-biotech group, said the
new data showed farmers are convinced of the value of gene-enhanced
crops.
“Clearly the benefits of these improved seed varieties help farmers to
strengthen crops by making them more resistant to disease, increase
crop yields and reduce the use of pesticides,” said the industry group.
The USDA said the biggest jump in genetically engineered crops will be
seen in corn. Farmers say 32 percent of the 79 million acres of corn to
be grown in the U.S. this year will be biotech varieties. Last year,
farmers planted 26 percent of their corn fields with gene-enhanced
varieties, the USDA said. Most will be Bt corn, which is engineered to
produce a natural insecticide that repels pests that like to feed on
young plants.
All but two of the 11 major corn-growing states – Missouri and Ohio –
will increase biocorn plantings, the USDA said.
Biotech soybeans will rise to 74 percent of the entire U.S. soybean
crop grown on nearly 73 million acres this year, up from 68 percent
last year, according to USDA data.
Virtually all of the biosoybeans are Roundup Ready varieties, which
enable farmers to spray their soybean fields with a single chemical to
kill a variety of weeds without affecting the soy plant.
All 14 major states that grow soybeans will increase their biotech
plantings in 2002, USDA said.
The new U.S. soybean estimate comes amid concerns about China, a major
world buyer of soybeans. China had previously announced new rules on
imports of biotech foods, which it clarified recently by saying U.S.
exporters did not have to obtain as many safety permits as originally
thought.
Gene-altered cotton planted in 2002 showed a smaller increase, rising
to 71 percent of the entire 14.5 million acres of U.S. upland cotton
crop this year, the USDA said. Last year, biocotton accounted for 69
percent of total U.S. plantings.
