Environment Benefits from Biotech Crops

July 17, 2000

Farmers who plant biotech seeds benefit the environment by reducing the use of chemicals, fuel and energy, while increasing plant yields that lessen the need to farm land that may be more fragile, the American Farm Bureau Federation says.

"Worldwide, with all of the usage of biotech crops, we have seen only neutral or positive effects on the environment," South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles told the National Academy of Sciences.

Winkles, a row crop and timber producer, told the panel that farmers historically are quick to adopt new technology, particularly technology that will improve their operations, their lives and their bottom lines. He said farmers have followed this pattern with biotech seeds, despite recent slight reductions in planted biotech acreage.

"We use these new biotech seeds for many reasons," Winkles said. "They reduce weed seed and bits of plant stem-called foreign matter-in our grain storage. They give us management flexibility in our crop rotation programs. They are friendlier to wildlife. They are safer for our workforce. And biotech crops allow us to spend more time with our families rather than driving a tractor, sprayer or cultivator. They have improved our profitability."

Winkles told the panel his experience with biotech soybeans and cotton has been positive and resulted in fewer trips through his fields to eliminate weeds and other crop pests. By planting biotech soybeans, which resist damage from a popular and effective herbicide, Winkles said he

eliminates two additional pesticide applications, since he can apply the herbicide directly onto the soybean plants.

In the case of biotech cotton, Winkles said the benefits are even greater, with cotton producers saving several trips across their fields to apply various herbicides and making four to eight fewer applications of insecticides.

"In South Carolina last year, 82% of cotton was planted to biotech varieties," Winkles said. "One pesticide manufacturer has reported $200 million to $300 million less in sales of pesticides since the introduction of biotech cotton."