May 4, 2001 -- "While farmer confidence in biotechnology-enhanced soybeans is at an all-time high, as evidenced by the recent USDA planting intentions report, agriculture’s critics won’t admit this confidence is a result of proven gains, both on the farm and in the environment," Tony Anderson, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA) said in rebuttal to the Northwest Science and Environmental Policy Center report by Dr. Charles Benbrook.

"As farmers growing food for a hungry world, we care very deeply about the safety and quality of our product, and we are committed to finding answers to the questions raised by biotechnology’s critics," the Mount Sterling, OH, farmer said. "But this quest for knowledge should not undermine the positive environmental gains we have made using modern biotechnology."

Herbicide-tolerant soybeans are helping farmers protect the environment by allowing changes in tillage practices and herbicide applications, Anderson said. Through improved weed control, farmers also are producing cleaner crops that contain fewer non-grain materials.

"In its July 20, 2000, Agricultural Outlook Summary, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that planting biotech crops appeals to farmers because these crops simplify pest management, reduce pesticide use, and help control costs," Anderson said. "Analysis by USDA’s Economic Research Service indicates that adoption of biotech corn, soybeans, and cotton is associated with a decrease in the number of pesticide treatments. Also, the herbicide-tolerance trait in soybeans allows substitution of glyphosate herbicides that are less persistent in the environment."

An independent study by Dr. Richard Phipps of the University of Reading, England, that was published in the July 2000 issue of Feed Compounder Magazine, reported that herbicide/insecticide use in biotech soybean and cotton production had decreased by 20 and 80 percent respectively, and that the use of biotech crops in North America has reduced the use of agrochemicals by 4.5 million liters (about 1.9 million gallons). 

"Another important benefit of biotech crops that should not be overlooked, is that biotech crops help farmers increase their use of no-till farming practices that reduce soil erosion by up to 90 percent and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by farm fields," Anderson said. "On September 15, 2000, the Wall Street Journal published an article about a study at Michigan State University that showed that no-till farming, which is facilitated by Roundup Ready soybeans, resulted in an 80-percent reduction in greenhouse gases."

Tony Anderson, Mount Sterling, OH, president of the American Soybean Association. AgJournal staff photo.

In regard to whether farmers will become disillusioned with genetically modified crops, numbers speak louder than words, Anderson said.

In 1996, when genetically modified soybean seedstock first became available commercially, U.S. farmers planted only about one million acres of biotech varieties, which represented less than two percent of the total soybean acreage planted that year. In 1997, planted acreage of genetically modified soybeans increased to nearly 10 million acres, or about 14 percent of the all soy acres planted. By 1998, genetically modified seedstock acres increased to 25 million, representing about 34 percent of total soybean planting.

In 1999, approximately 38 million acres or 53 percent of total U.S. soybean acres were planted to genetically modified seedstock, and last year genetically modified soybeans were grown on approximately 40 million acres or 55 percent of total U.S. soy acres. In 2001, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that soybean farmers will again increase the number of acres they plant of soybean seed that has been enhanced through modern crop biotechnology.

"Scientists can debate all day long about the meaning of various comparisons and observations, while soybean producers know what works and what doesn’t work on their farm," he said. "When it comes to seedstock, herbicides, farm equipment or any other input costs they must carefully evaluate in order to make a profit."

For Anderson's complete statement, visit SoyGrowers.com.