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Paul Rylott Acting-chair, abc

Paul Rylott Acting-chair, abc. Demand for Food self-sufficiency. Changing Food Demands. Demand for quality, cost-effective, safe Food. 1940s. 1950s. 1960s. 1970s. 1980s. 1990s. 2000s. Demand for cheap food.

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Paul Rylott Acting-chair, abc

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  1. Paul Rylott Acting-chair, abc

  2. Demand for Food self-sufficiency Changing Food Demands Demand for quality, cost-effective, safe Food 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Demand for cheap food Demand for safe, high quality, cost-effective, food, grown in an environmentally friendly way

  3. Why GM Crops ? If people in the UK demand safe, high, cost effective food produced in environmentally friendly manner Farmers must respond to this demand …………….GM technology offers one solution. A sustainable future for food production, farming and the environment

  4. Early 1980s Companies produce first GM crops Timeline for GM Crops in the UK 1995 First GM crops commercialised in Canada / US 2004/5 Potentially first GM crops commercialised in the UK 2002 GM Public Debate Launched 1990 1980 2000 2005 2003 1999 Farm Scale Evaluation programme starts in the UK 1989 First open air field trials of GM crops in the UK 2003 First results of the FSE trials released

  5. 150 125 100 Million Hectares Million Acres 75 50 25 GM Crops - Global Planting 12% increase Source: ISAAA, 2002

  6. GM Crops - only in the Industrialised world ? 19% increase 9% increase Source: ISAAA, 2002

  7. Some GM Facts In UK Sugar Beet crop can be more “bird”friendly Nearly 6 million farmers used GM crops in 2002 In 2001, Alabama cotton sprayed with less insecticide than at any time since 1947 More than 50% of cotton produced in China comes from their own GM varieties One in two Soybean plants grown commercially are GM In Canada GM canola reduced fuel use by 31 million litres in 2000

  8. Why GM Crops ? A sustainable future for food, farming and the environment ?

  9. Cost effective, Sustainable Food & Farming... • Since 1995 more and more farmers each year have chosen to grow of GM oilseed rape (Canola) • In 2002, 65% of the crop was GM: • Yields increased by on average 20% • Income to farmers has increased by $249 million / year • Income to associated industries has increased by $215 million / year • Thus, in Canada, oilseeds production and it’s supply to the consumer is more cost effective and sustainable.

  10. ….grown in sympathy with the Environment ? • Targeted herbicide applications • as-and-when needed rather than just-in-case spraying • can lead to increases in biodiversity • New cultivation techniques - reduced soil erosion and improved soil fertility • Combined to reduce fossil fuel usage by 31 millions litres per year Trials have shown similar benefits here in the UK

  11. GM Crops can increase Farmland Wildlife GM Crop Non-GM Crop

  12. Conclusions • Farmers need to respond to changes in consumer demands • Industry’s role is to help farmers respond to these changes and add value to their business • If UK the demand is for safe, high-quality, cost-effective foods produced in an environmentally friendly manner…..then GM crops offer one solution to this need. • We believe that farmers, consumers and the environment should be given the choice to benefit from these crops and that this choice should not be denied

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