Contributions of Chemistry to Sustainable
Food Production
Freie Universitat Berlin, August 1999
Thursday August 12, 9:00 - 13:00
Inorganic Chemistry Lecture Hall
Transgenic Crops: Impact on the Use of Agrochemicals
and the Environment
Harry A. Kuiper, State Institute for Quality Control of Agricultural
Products (RIKILT-DLO), Bornsesteeg 45, P.O.Box 230, NL-6700 AE Wageningen,
THE NETHERLANDS, Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Cultivation of transgenic crops produced has impressively increased
over the last 3 years from 2.8 million hectares in 1996 to 27.8 million
hectares in 1998, with a potential for further increase of at least
5-7 times. In 1998 most important transgenic crops cultivated were:
herbicide tolerant soybean, Bt corn, insect resistant/herbicide tolerant
cotton, herbicide tolerant canola and herbicide tolerant corn.
The potential agronomical and environmental advantages upon introduction
of transgenic crops will be discussed based on experiences gained
by farmers in 1996-1998. Yield increases, replacement of persistent
herbicides, reduction in the use of herbicides and insecticides have
been noted, as well as an improvement in the flexibility of crop mangement
systems. Potential disadvantages of the cultivation of transgenic
crops will be discussed like an increased dependence on chemical crop
protection methods, risks and consequences of the development of resistance
in weeds or target insects, and a negative impact on non-target species.
Experience with large-scale breeding of transgenic crops and its long-term
impact on agricultural production practises and the environment is
still fragmentary and needs further consideration. Specific monitoring
programs and codes of practises should provide the information to
assess these hazards.
