Genetically Engineered Crops and the Use of Herbicides and Pesticides

By Susan Stewart, Organic Certification Coordinator

I'm not sure which is more alarming, the fact that genetically engineered (GE) crops have increased the total of herbicide sprayed on farm fields or that GE crops are responsible for the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds.

My first reaction to this news was to ignore it. After all, I purchase certified organic foods, which automatically rules out this sort of genetically manipulated product. But unless more people learn about what is happening, "American agriculture is likely to continue down the road preferred by the biotechnology industry, a path that promises to maximize their profits by capturing a larger share of farm income, and limit the ability of plant breeders and other agricultural scientists to address other pressing goals of wider importance to society as a whole."¹

A report released by the Organic Center revealed that during the past 13 years, herbicide use on GE crops increased by 383 million pounds and pesticide use increased by 318 million pounds.² From 2007 to 2008 the use of herbicides and pesticides increased by 31.4 percent and 27 percent, respectively. This trend is expected to continue.

GE seeds were introduced commercially in 1996 and now dominate U.S. production of corn, soybeans, and cotton. Herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops are engineered to survive the direct application of herbicides that would otherwise kill or stunt the crop.

The result has been the proliferation of at least nine herbicide-resistant weed species, primarily in the South but to a lesser degree in the Midwest. Farmers who use GE seeds responded to the resistant weeds by applying more and stronger herbicide, applying herbicide more frequently, maintaining aggressive tillage practices, manually weeding, or abandoning croplands entirely.

The good news is that the pesticide and insecticide industries are discovering potent chemicals that reduce the amount of effective pesticide and insecticide for conventional crops. The bad news is that non-GE seed supplies are so thin now that most farmers will have to purchase GE seeds for the next several years whether they want to or not. Fortunately, universities and regional seed companies are working together to increase supplies of non-GE seeds. Farmers are also starting to reject the challenges of working with Monsanto's Roundup Ready (RR) systems, as the expectations and promises of higher yields and prices fade and farm production costs rise. As the spread of resistant weeds erode some farmer's profits, the seed and pesticide industries are taking advantage of new opportunities to develop more chemicals of higher toxicity.

As one of the largest consumer food co-ops in the US, the Wedge holds the attention of people who teach, regulate, and discuss organic agriculture. Organic products comprise 40 percent of what we buy at the Wedge; we are a powerful buying group, and our demand helps make good food available and supports the growth of organic farms and rural communities.

The report recommends increased use and quality of non-GE seeds and the adoption of practices such as deep tilling to discourage weed growth. As we continue to choose organic products, we are helping to combat forces of technology-driven agriculture. I am more resolved than ever to demand organic products, whether fresh, packaged, processed, or frozen. I look for the USDA seal of organic certification and hope that all our members and supporters are doing the same.

¹. Dr. Margaret Mellon, Director, Food and Environment Program, Union of Concerned Scientists.

². Benbrook, Charles. "Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use: The First Thirteen Years." November 2009. The Organic Center. www.organic-center.org.