U.S. Farmers to Cut Genetically Modified Crops Only Slightly

Reuters 11jan01

ORLANDO, FL  - Most farmers have shrugged off global concerns about genetically modified crops and plan only slightly to reduce their 2001 spring plantings, according to a Reuters survey released on Wednesday.

Farmers said they decided to cut their plantings of genetically modified corn, soybeans and cotton by 4 percent overall, with all the declines coming from two varieties, Roundup Ready soybeans and Bt corn. Sowings of the other varieties would rise modestly.

In a test of how U.S. farmers have reacted to temporary halts in foreign purchases of bio-crops, Reuters surveyed 400 attendees of this week's annual meeting of the nation's largest farm organization, the American Farm Bureau Federation.

U.S. farmers widely plant genetically modified crops but this practice is controversial in major markets like Japan and Europe where health concerns have been raised, especially after last year's revelation that traces of StarLink bio-corn foods approved for animal feed were found in U.S. grocery products.

About 60 percent of farmers responding to the survey said the StarLink bio-corn controversy had no impact on their planting intentions. But some indicated they believed StarLink had frightened consumers and soured other nations' appetite for U.S. grain exports at least in the short term.

``The fear from consumers around the world about StarLink has driven me to not plant any Bt corn this year,'' an Iowa farmer said. ``But I plan to plant biotech again once people get their heads screwed on right and realize GM crops are safe.''

The Reuters survey gives an indication of trends in gene-altered crop planting intentions among American farmers. The poll does not represent a scientific sampling of all growers and does not attempt to weight responses by state, size of farm, or other criteria.

The 400 farmers surveyed by Reuters said they have about 354,388 acres of crops.

Japan, the biggest U.S. corn buyer, sharply cut purchases of U.S. corn until an international agreement was reached in December to test and sample U.S. shipments for StarLink. Europe, which has strict rules for labeling foods containing gene-spliced ingredients, never purchased any StarLink.

About 81 percent of farmers surveyed at the Farm Bureau meeting said they had not made, or plan to make, any investments to segregate genetically modified crops despite growing global demands for biotech testing of grain shipments.

In the survey, growers indicated they would plant 15 percent less Bt corn than last year and 4 percent less Roundup Ready soybeans.

INCREASES PLANNED

Increases were planned for other gene-spliced crops. Sowings of Roundup Ready corn would rise by 6 percent, Bt cotton by 8 percent and Roundup Ready cotton by 12 percent, according to the survey.

Roundup Ready crops are engineered to protect plants from a highly effective weedkiller known as Roundup, while Bt varieties produce a natural pesticide that repels destructive insects.

American farmers typically purchase most of their seeds for spring planting between November and February. About 56 percent of the farmers surveyed by Reuters said they had already purchased their genetically modified seed.

Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman said the results of the Reuters survey were ``reasonable'' under current economic conditions.

``I think producers are looking at what (biotech crops) mean to their operations in terms of economics and market, and I think these shifts probably bear that out,'' Stallman said.

The reduction in overall biotech plantings could reflect the lower corn acreage anticipated this year.

Dick Smetana, director of research for AgResource, forecast corn plantings at 78.6 million acres this year, down 1 million acres from 2000. Jim Sullivan of Sparks Companies put likely corn plantings at 78.2 million acres.

FARMERS SEE GM CROP BENEFITS

Growers generally endorsed bio-crops, saying their benefits were overshadowed by criticism from environmental activists.

U.S. environment groups have criticized the federal government for failing to thoroughly test and check bioengineered crops for safety with human health and the environment. A National Academy of Sciences panel last year cautiously endorsed gene-altered foods, saying that the government should carefully monitor and study the new crops.

Many farmers surveyed said bioengineered crops help growers reduce pesticide use and improve yields. Scientists are now developing crops with more nutritional content and other consumer benefits.

``If penicillin had to go through the same scrutiny, it would have never been approved,'' said Don Batie, a Nebraska farmer. ``We need to get sound science more involved in people's opinions.''

Last year's Reuters survey found respondents planned significant declines in Roundup Ready soybeans, Roundup Ready corn, Bt corn and Bt cotton. Farmers interviewed for that survey also said they would plant more Roundup Ready cotton.