Currently, Bt maize is the only genetically modified crop authorized
for commercial cultivation in the European Union. Spain, with over nine
years of experience in Bt maize cultivation, is the European member state
with the highest adoption rate for the biotech crop. A survey, published by
the journal Nature Biotechnology, reports that farmers adopting Bt maize
experienced higher average yields than conventional corn growers in certain
regions in the country. The survey was conducted by researchers from the
European Commission Joint Research Center and the University of Córdoba.
The survey covered 195 farmers who grow Bt maize and 184 conventional
maize growers. They were asked to provide information about yields, seed
costs, maize prices obtained and use and costs of insecticides from 2002 to
2004. Significantly higher yield was recorded in the province of Zaragoza.
The higher yield translates to higher incomes, since the farmers obtain the
same price for fodder maize regardless of whether it is transgenic or not.
Gross margin increase was as high as 122 euros (US $189) per hectare per
year in Zaragoza. In other regions, however, profits were only marginal. The
authors suggest that this might be due to the fact that Bt crops produce
variable yield gains, depending mainly on local pest pressure and damage.

The article is available at

[www.nature.com]

For more information read

[www.gmo-safety.eu]