3 ms·
Yes, it seems fairly clear now that Roundup Ready crops have lead to increases in pesticide use which is only going to worsen as weeds become increasingly resis
by anon1385 13y ago
Yes, it seems fairly clear now that Roundup Ready crops have lead to increases in pesticide use which is only going to worsen as weeds become increasingly resistant
http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24/abstract http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24/abstract
Herbicide-resistant crop technology has led to a 239 million kilogram (527 million pound) increase in herbicide use in the United States between 1996 and 2011, while Bt crops have reduced insecticide applications by 56 million kilograms (123 million pounds). Overall, pesticide use increased by an estimated 183 million kgs (404 million pounds), or about 7%.
Contrary to often-repeated claims that today’s genetically-engineered crops have, and are reducing pesticide use, the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds in herbicide-resistant weed management systems has brought about substantial increases in the number and volume of herbicides applied. If new genetically engineered forms of corn and soybeans tolerant of 2,4-D are approved, the volume of 2,4-D sprayed could drive herbicide usage upward by another approximate 50%. The magnitude of increases in herbicide use on herbicide-resistant hectares has dwarfed the reduction in insecticide use on Bt crops over the past 16 years, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.