GMO COMPASS - Information on genetically modified organisms
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Worldwide. Cultivation areas with genetically modified plants, 1996 - 2007, in millions of hectares.

 

Global Cultivation Areas 2007

Further increase for GM plants: cultivation risen to 114 million hectares


In 2007, the cultivation of genetically modified plants also increased. The area dedicated to such plants rose by 12 million hectares to reach a total of 114 million hectares. The greatest increase was shown by maize, which added 10 million hectares to its area. Genetically modified plants are commercially employed in 23 countries, twelve of which are developing nations.

For maize, the cultivation of GM plants expanded from 25 to 35 million hectares. Cotton increased by 1.6 million to 15 million hectares and rapeseed by 0.7 million to a total of 5.5 million hectares. At 58.6 million hectares, the cultivation area of GM soy remained constant in comparison with 2006.

 

Area

Area GM

Proportion GM

Soy

91

58,6

64%

Maize

148

35,2

24%

Cotton

35

15

43%

Rapeseed

27

5,5

20%

Global cultivation areas in millions of hectares


Soy. Global cultivation areas, in millions of hectares


Maize. Global cultivation areas in millions of hectares


Rapeseed. Global cultivation areas in millions of hectares


Cotton. Global cultivation areas in millions of hectares

USA 57,7 S,M,C,R, Squash, Papaya, Alfalfa
Argentina 19,1 S,M,C
Brazil 15,0 S, B
Canada 7,0 R,M,S
India 6,2 C
China 3,8 C, Poplar, Papaya, Tomato, Sweet Pepper
Paraguay 2,6 S
South Africa 1,8 M,S,C
Uruguay 0,5 S,M
The Philippines 0,3 M
Australia 0,1 C
Mexico 0,1 C,S
Columbia 0,05 C, Carnation
Chile <0,1 M,S,R
Honduras <0,1 M
Spain 0,1 M
France <0,05 M
Portugal <0,05 M
The Czech Republic <0,05 M
Germany <0,05 M
Slovakia <0,05 M
Rumania <0,05 M
Poland <0,05 M
Cultivation areas for GM crops in 2006 (million hectares)
S = Soybeans, M= Maize, R = Rapeseed, C = Cotton

Source: ISAAA Briefs No 37-2007 (executive summary), FAO

 

The total area of GM cultivation increased in all countries in which such plants are cultivated on a large scale. Particularly noteworthy are the increases in India (+2.4 million hectares of GM cotton), Brazil (+3.5 million hectares of GM soy), Paraguay (+0.6 million hectares of GM soy) and South Africa (+0.4 million hectares, predominantly of GM maize).

Countries with the largest cultivation areas for GM plants are the USA (57.7 million hectares), Argentina (19.1), Brazil (15.0) and Canada (7.0). According to statements by the Agro-Biotechnology Agency ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications), which compiles a yearly report on the global situation of cultivations, twelve million farmers worldwide employ GM plants.

The commercial application of GM plant types remains unchanged in its concentration on soy, maize, cotton and rapeseed.

  • For soybeans, the global GM area remained unchanged in comparison with 2006 (58.6 million hectares). Above-average increases were noted in Brazil (+30% to 15 million hectares) and Paraguay (+30% to 2.6 million hectares). As a result of reduced soy production in the USA, a decrease in area for the cultivation of GM soybeans was noted. Other countries employing GM soybeans include Argentina, Canada, Uruguay, South Africa and Chile.

  • The greatest increase in the use of GM plants may be seen in the case of maize: particularly as a result of the significant general rise in the production of maize in the USA, the cultivation area of GM maize climbed by 10 million hectares to a total of 35.2 million. GM maize is grown in many South American countries, as well as in South Africa and the Philippines. An increase also was noted in the agricultural use of GM maize in Europe. The ISAAA report cites eight EU Member States in which GM maize is used agriculturally.

  • For rapeseed, GM varieties were grown on 5.5 million hectares (4.8 hectares in 2006). Cultivation areas are found predominantly in Canada and the USA. Cultivation of GM rapeseed also is expected in Chile.

  • A repeated increase for GM varieties also  were observed for cotton (from 13.4 to 15 million hectares). Primarily India (+2.4 million hectares) and China  (+0,3 million hectares) were responsible for this increase. GM cotton is cultivated in eight countries worldwide.

In the USA, GM zucchini (also known as squash), GM alfalfa (luzerne) and GM papayas are grown on a small scale. Subsequent to legal conflict, the cultivation area of GM alfalfa has decreased from 80,000 hectares in 2006 to 20,000 hectares in 2007.

In China, GM papayas and GM poplars also are grown. GM varieties of tomato, tobacco and sweet pepper also are expected to be used in Chinese agriculture.

 

Crops and Cereals
Gm Plants: The Big Four
Soybeans
Maize
Rape Seed
Cotton
Global GM Crop Production in 2007
February 14, 2008 [nach oben springen]

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