[BCFSN] New GMO Inquiry report! "Are GM Crops Better for Farmers?"

Tue Nov 24 20:44:43 EST 2015

Hello,

Thanks for this and all you do Abra.

I encourage everyone to read “ World Hunger - 10 Myths “ by Frances Moore Lappe and Joseph Collins. A great read and a wonderful Christmas gift.

John
On Nov 24, 2015, at 9:43 AM, Abra Brynne <abra at bcfsn.org> wrote:

> Hello all,
> I am pleased to pass along this news from the Canadian Biotech Action Network of the latest report in the GMO Inquiry series. Well worth a read.
> 
> Please read and share widely. And for more information, check out the website: http://gmoinquiry.ca/
> 
> in good food,
> Abra
> 
> Disclaimer: I a special advisor to CBAN
> 
> Abra Brynne
> BC Food Systems Network
> abra at bcfsn.org
> Ph: 250.352.5342 // mobile: 250.777.2480
> I am in the office: tuesday, wednesday and thursday.
> www.bcfsn.org
> 
> Please consider supporting us.
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Lucy Sharratt - CBAN Coordinator <coordinator at cban.ca>
> Date: 23 November 2015 at 15:39
> Subject: [cban e-News] New GMO Inquiry report! "Are GM Crops Better for Farmers?"
> To: cban-e-news at cban.ca
> 
> 
> This report is also in French / Ce rapport est également en Français: Les OGM sont-ils bénéfiques pour les agriculteurs? @ www.enqueteOGM.ca/agriculteurs 
> 
> “Are GM crops better for farmers?”
> 
> After twenty years, GM crops have profited biotech companies, not farmers.
>  
> CBAN's newest report in the GMO Inquiry 2015 has found that GM seeds cost more than other seeds, but have failed to increase yields of farmer incomes. The main benefit they offered – simplified weed management – is now being reversed because of glyphosate-resistant weeds.
> Read the report and summary pamphlet.
> 
> GM crops have not increased yields
> 
> Almost 100% of all the GM crops in the world are engineered to be herbicide-tolerant and/or insect-resistant. There is no GM trait for higher yield.
> 
> There are no clear patterns to show that yields for crops with GM varieties have increased more than those of non-GM crops. Data in Canada shows that yields of crops that have GM varieties – such as corn, canola and soy - have increased at a similar rate to crops that are only non-GM – like barley, oats and wheat. Yield increases in the past two decades are due to a number of factors other than GM traits
> 
> GM crops have not increased farmer incomes
> 
> GM crops are not putting more money into the pockets of Canadian farmers. Farm expenses, and particularly seed prices, have risen steadily over the past twenty years, chipping into farmers’ net incomes. Gross farm income in Canada has increased over the past two decades but realized net income (the income remaining after farm expenses are paid) has not changed significantly.
> 
> GM seeds cost more  
> 
> Patented GM seeds are significantly more expensive than non-GM seed.
> 
> The markets for GM crops are dominated by just a few seed and agrochemical companies. The high level of corporate concentration in the seed market has meant higher prices and limited choices for farmers. Legal controls, such as patents on genetic sequences, have meant that farmers cannot reuse, save, share or sell GM seeds, but have to buy them from seed companies every year.
> 
> Costs of herbicide-resistant weeds
> 
> The major benefit that GM herbicide-tolerant crops offered farmers was simplified weed management. However, the increased use of herbicides on GM crops has led to the emergence and spread of herbicide-resistant weeds, which are reversing this benefit and creating new costs and complications for farmers.
> 
> As a response to glyphosate-resistant weeds, biotech companies have developed GM crops that are tolerant to the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba but these crops will increase pesticide use even more, and spread even more herbicide-resistant weeds.
> 
> GM contamination costs farmers 
> 
> Once released into our environment, GM crops can be impossible to control or recall. This contamination can come with a high price for farmers. The release of future GM crops such as GM alfalfa and GM wheat would threaten the livelihoods of many farmers in Canada.
> 
> Farmers in Canada are not consulted before GM crops are approved, and the Canadian government does not assess the economic impacts, risks or benefits.
>  
> Read the full report and summary pamphlet.
> 
> Donate today! Support our research and action with your tax-deductible donation www.cban.ca/donate.
> 
> What’s next? 
> 
> Check www.cban.ca/Take-Action to take the latest strategic actions
> Visit www.cban.ca for even more info
> Invite your friends to Join the Inquiry
> Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
> Donate today at www.cban.ca/donate
> Stay tuned for more updates and ways to participate
> The GMO Inquiry has even more research ahead! Look out for our upcoming reports, "Are GM Crops and Foods Well Regulated?" and "Do We Need GM Crops to Feed the World?"
> 
> Join us at www.gmoinquiry.ca!
>  
> The GMO Inquiry 2015 is a project of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN). CBAN is a campaign coalition of 17 organizations that researches, monitors and raises awareness about issues relating to genetic engineering in food and farming. CBAN members include farmer associations, environmental and social justice organizations, and regional coalitions of grassroots groups. CBAN is a project on Tides Canada’s shared platform.
> 
> Visit us at www.cban.ca or www.gmoinquiry.ca.
> 
> Contact us       Donate
> 
> 
> Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator 
> Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) 
> Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
> Suite 206, 180 Metcalfe Street
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 1P5 
> Phone: 613 241 2267 ext. 25
> Fax: 613 241 2506 
> coordinator at cban.ca 
> www.cban.ca
> https://www.facebook.com/cban.canadian.biotechnology.action.network
> @biotechaction
> 
> Donate today www.cban.ca/donate
> 
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