GM crops: the global economic and environmental impact - the first nine years 1996-2004

This paper explores the specific global economic impacts of GM crops on global agriculture over the period 1996-2005. In particular, it assesses the impact on farm income and environmental impacts, examining pesticide usage and greenhouse gas emissions for each of the countries where GM crops have been grown since 1996.

The analysis concludes that:

•  there have been substantial net economic benefits at the farm level amounting to a cumulative total of US$27 billion.
• the technology has reduced pesticide spraying by 172 million kg and has reduced the environmental footprint associated with pesticide use by 14%.
• GM technology has significantly reduced the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, which is equivalent to removing five million cars from the roads.

(adapted from author)