BioWorld International Correspondent

LONDON - The all-but-total ban on genetically modified crops means Europe is missing out on significant environmental and economic benefits of growing the plants, according to a new study based on nine years of their use elsewhere.

Globally, the environmental impact of pesticide use has reduced by 14 percent, and GM crops have contributed to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, Graham Brookes, one of the report's authors, told delegates at Cordia, the pan European biotechnology conference held in London this week.

Brookes said planting GM crops has reduced the amount of plowing required, cutting fuel use by 1.8 billion liters over the past nine years. In 2004 alone, the reduction was equivalent to removing 5 million cars from the UK's roads for one year.

"As the world is increasingly focused on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear biotech crops are already making an important contribution to achieving this goal," Brookes said.

In addition, planting GM crops has reduced pesticide spraying by 6 percent since 1996, equivalent to 172.5 million kilograms.

Brookes, of PG Economics Ltd., based in Dorchester, UK, claimed the study is the first attempt to quantify the total impact of GM crops globally.

"As a European citizen, I find it difficult to see why we are denying ourselves a clear opportunity to improve our environment and to improve incomes and efficiency in our agricultural sector."

Unsurprisingly, the report, "GM Crops: The global socio-economic and environmental impact - the first nine years 1996 - 2004," claims the U.S. has realized the greatest benefits, increasing farm income by $10.7 billion. In second place, Argentina has increased farm income by $10.1 billion, while in China planting insect-resistant cotton has increased farm income by $4.2 billion, and at the same time, pesticide use is down by 60 million kilograms.