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Welcome to the first edition of the Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited's
(AFAA) Biotech Bulletin for 2005. This edition, entitled "Global Uptake of
GM crops in 2004", features information on the continued growth and status
of genetically modified (GM) crops planted around the world in 2004,
February 2005.

INTRODUCTION

In 2004, the global area of GM crops continued to grow for the ninth
consecutive year according to a report released in January by the
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
(ISAAA). The ISAAA is a non-profit organisation which aims to deliver the
benefits of biotechnology to the poor in developing countries.

Genetically modified crops planted in 2004, increased by 20 per cent
reaching 81 million hectares globally, an increase of 13.3 million hectares
since 2003. This increase represents a 47-fold increase in hectares since
the introduction of the commercialisation of GM crops in 1996.

The report states that over eight million farmers in 17 countries planted GM
crops in 2004. This figure has increased from seven million farmers in 2003.
Of the eight million farmers, 90 per cent were from developing countries,
increasing the growth in biotech crops by 7.2 million hectares, as opposed
to 6.1 million hectares in industrial countries. India alone had the highest
percentage growth in 2004 of Bt cotton, which was only introduced two years
ago in that country, with an increase of 400 per cent.

This Biotech Bulletin explores the recent findings of the 2004 ISAAA report
in detail. Complete bulletin available at www.afaa.com.au .

Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited www.afaa.com.au.

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