Study Says Swedes Can Benefit From GM Crops

Swedish farmers can earn a profit from planting genetically modified (GM) crops. This is a conclusion of a study conducted by the Swedish Institute for Food and Agricultural Economics (SLI). The report makes the following projections after comparing the production of GM crops and conventionally grown crops in Sweden:

• A production change to herbicide resistant spring rape would have three major effects: an increase in hectares harvested, higher costs of seeds for sowing and lower costs of herbicides. These three factors are estimated to improve the profitability of production at a rate of 4 to 8 percent of the production price.
• Production of herbicide resistant corn for feed would mainly affect profitability through higher costs of seeds for sowing and lower costs of herbicides.
• Blight resistant potatoes show an increase in profitability of between 6 and 12 percent when compared to conventional potatoes. A decrease in the use of herbicides also reduces the negative effects on the environment caused by conventionally grown potatoes.
• A change in sugar beet production from conventional to herbicide resistant varieties would increase the cost of seeds for sowing but reduce the cost of herbicides. The net effect is about 10 percent of the production price in 2006 prices.