GM crops have been introduced in the US at an incredible pace. In 1996 US farmers planted 1.5 million hectares of GM crops, by 1998 this figure had reached 20.5 million hectares. In all 74% of GM crops currently grown in the world are grown in the United States (mostly soya and maize). Consequently US farmers are rapidly gaining experience and understanding of the practical realities of growing and/or co-existing with the growth of GM crops in their country.
Simultaneously however, farmers have witnessed the collapse of their overseas GM markets, particularly in corn, with exports dropping from 70 million bushels to 3 million bushels in the past 3 years . Questions have also been raised about safety procedures for GM food regulation and over why no GM food in the USA is labelled. In the past month, public hearings regarding the safety assessment procedure used for GM food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have revealed extensive internal disagreement as to procedures used for GM foods now in the market place. Forty-eight members of congress have now joined calls for more extensive safety tests and a revision of policy on labelling.
Biotechnology proponents in the UK and elsewhere have been quick to point to the US as the prime example of how GM crops can work, not only for farmers, but also for consumers. "GM crops have been fully accepted by farmers and consumers in North America, and the area sown is rapidly increasing". However, the reality is not so simple. In November of this year more than 30 farm groups including the National Family Farms Coalition and the American Corn Growers Association warned that the practice of planting GM crops had become so unpopular that "farmers were risking their livelihoods if they cultivated them again this year". Worryingly, local seed dealers are beginning to report that there may be shortages of conventional seeds for next years growing season, ultimately limiting any choice available to farmers.
Relevance to the UK
Many of the experiences of GM gained by farmers in the US are relevant to the UK. Many of the concerns of farmers in the two countries are shared and with net US farm income falling more than 38 percent since 1997 there are certainly some parallels to draw with the current UK agricultural crisis.
If farmers in the UK are ever to grow GM crops on a commercial basis they need to be in a position to answer a number of key questions. Does the GM technology work commercially. Can I save money from using it. Will I be getting greater yields. Is there a market for GM products. Can I maintain my independence while using GM.
It is questions such as these that farmers in the US can now begin to answer. It is these answers that farmers and decision-makers in the UK now have an opportunity to hear.
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