GM and non GM arable crops co-existing in North America without problems: says new research paper

23rd June 2004 PG Economics Ltd today announced the release of its latest research paper on GM and non GM crop co-existence – Co-existence in North American agriculture: can GM crops be grown with conventional and organic crops? 

The key findings of the report are:

1. GM crops have been, and continue to co-exist with conventional and organic crops in North America (where GM crops account for the majority of plantings of important arable crops like soybeans, oilseed rape and maize), without causing any economic or marketing problems to non GM or organic growers.
2. Claims by anti GM groups that GM and non GM crops cannot co-exist in North America are greatly exaggerated, given the on-farm experiences since 1995.
3. The market has developed practical, proportionate and workable co-existence measures without government intervention.  These have been delivering effective co-existence for nearly nine years. 

These conclusions are based on the experiences of North American arable farmers in successfully implementing and managing the co-existence of GM and non GM crops, as well as specialist crops with other crops, for many years.

Impact on organic farmers

Survey evidence amongst US organic farmers (2003) shows that the vast majority (96%) have not experienced any loss of organic sales or downgrading of produce as a result of GM adventitious presence having been found in their crops.  Where a small number (4%) report some losses/downgrading this has been due to a marketing decision taken by their certifying body or customer rather than any requirement under national organic regulations.

Growth of the GM crop area has not impeded the development of organic crops

The US organic areas of soybeans and corn have increased by 270% and 187% respectively between 1995 and 2001[1], a period in which GM crops were introduced and reached 68% and 26% shares of total plantings of soybeans and corn.  Also, the states with the greatest concentration of organic soybean and corn crops are often states with above average penetration of GM crops (eg, Iowa and Minnesota). 

In the case of canola (oilseed rape), the organic area has historically been very low (under 0.1% of total canola plantings)[2].  This very low level of planting essentially reflects agronomic and husbandry difficulties in growing organic canola and the limited nature of the market – it is not related to any co-existence problems with GM canola.

Notes to editors

For further details contact Graham Brookes  Tel: +44 (0)1303 840958 or Peter Barfoot +44 (0) 1300 321501.  Email: peter.barfoot@pgeconomics.co.uk or graham.brookes@pgeconomics.co.uk

A pdf version of the paper is available on www.pgeconomics.co.uk