NEW REPORT: GM CROPS FAILING TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE

+ NEW REPORT: GM CROPS FAILING TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE




WEEKLY WATCH number 285

from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor





"A new report from Friends of the Earth International reveals that claims made by the biotech industry that GM crops can combat climate change are both exaggerated and premature.



The report, "Who Benefits from GM Crops?", examines the evidence for these claims, and says that GM crops could actually increase carbon emissions while failing to feed the world. This is because GM crops are responsible for huge increases in the use of pesticides in the US and South America, intensifying fossil fuel use. The cultivation of GM soy to feed factory-farmed animals is also contributing to widespread deforestation in South America.



The report also reveals that globally GM crops remain confined to less than 3% of agricultural land and more than 99% are grown for animal feed and agrofuels, rather than food."

Here are three excellent reasons why GM crops are certainly not the answer, even remotely, to alleviation of CO2 emissions.



Read the report here:

http://www.foeeurope.org/GMOs/Who_Benefits/who_benefits_full_report_2010.pdf