New Report Finds That Bt Corn Doesn't
Pay
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Subject: New Report Finds That Bt Corn Doesn't Pay........
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 15:39:48 -0500
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker,
I thought you might like to read this:
New Report Finds That Bt Corn Doesn't Pay.
December 13, 2001 New Report Finds That Bt Corn Doesn't Pay
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Press Release GMO Bt Corn Costs
Farmers, New Economic Analysis Finds Surprising Variability in Bt and
Conventional Corn Yields Price -- A Poor Indicator of Performance Minneapolis -
Over the last six years, farmers who planted genetically modified Bt corn have
lost $92 million or an average of about $1.31 per acre, according to the first
farm-level economic analysis of the product. "When Does It Pay to Plant Bt
Corn Farm-Level Economic Impacts of Bt Corn, 1996-2001," is by Dr. Charles
Benbrook of Benbrook Consulting Services. Dr. Benbrook previously served as the
Executive Director of the National Academy of Science Board of Agriculture.
The report found that from 1996-2001, American farmers paid
at least $659 million in price premiums to plant Bt corn, while boosting their
harvest by only 276 million bushels - worth some $567 million in economic gain.
The bottom line for farmers is a net loss of $92 million - about $1.31 per acre.
"On average, yield increases due to Bt corn have not increased farm income
enough to cover the higher costs of Bt seed," says Dr. Benbrook. "The
jump in per acre seed expenditures with Bt corn is by far the biggest in history
linked to a single new trait."
Bt corn is genetically engineered to express the
protein-based toxins of Bt in plant tissues for the control of two Lepidopteran
insects, the European Corn Borer (ECB) and the Southwestern Corn Borer (SWCB).
The economic value of using Bt corn depends largely on
whether infestation levels of ECB/SWCB impact yields.
"We estimate that the U.S. has foregone about 350
million bushels of corn export sales to the European Union since 1996/97 largely
because the EU doesn't want GMOs," says Dan McGuire, of the American Corn
Growers Association (ACGA). "The findings of this report are part of a
triple negative for farmersÖlost corn exports, lower corn prices and less net
profit from GMO (Bt) corn, which is why the ACGA cautions farmers on their seed
choices."
"At this point, in most cases Bt corn doesn't pay for
farmers," says Kristin Dawkins, of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy.
"We hope this report helps farmers get better numbers
about the costs associated with GMO crops so they can make informed planting
decisions." This report is part of series being published by the Institute
for Agriculture and Trade Policy and Genetically Engineered Food Alert on
economic and legal issues related to genetically engineered crops. A four page
summary of the report as well as the full 33 page report can be downloaded at
http://www.iatp..org
Well Mr. Helliker,
An awful lot of your "registered" frankenfoods and POISONS do
not "PAY" but, we still have to pay for their continuing use/misuse.
It seems to me, the only reason for their use is so "someone"
can profit at the expense of the farmer and the public.
Shame on them, Santa is checking his list.
Respectfully,
Stephen L. Tvedten
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