GM crops: Reaping the benefits, but not in Europe - Europabio

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3. GLOBAL MACRO ECONOMIC IMPACTS
“Benefits from growing GM crops mainly derive from increased yields, which are greatest for small
farmers in developing countries. Apart from higher yields, the adoption of GM crops can reduce
production costs by reducing pesticide use, labour and fuel costs.” 10
Increasing food security
Higher productivity rates translate into higher food security in a world with continuing population
growth and limited arable land. The additional production arising from GM crops between 1996 and
2007 has contributed enough energy (in kcal terms) to feed about 402 million people for one year,
with additional production in 2007 alone contributing enough energy to feed 88 million 11 .
Supporting development
The share of the farm income gains, both in 2009 and cumulatively (1996-2009), has been about
50% each for farmers in developing and developed countries 12 . The additional income derived from
GM crops can enable more farmers to consistently meet their subsistence needs and to improve
the standard of living of their households. Being able to afford more goods and services can have
a positive ‘knock on’ effect on local, regional and national economies.
Commodity prices and distribution of benefits
World prices of maize, soya beans and rapeseed would probably be respectively +5.8%, +9.6%, and
+3.8% higher than current levels if there were no GM crops 13 . Most GM crops go into feed, resulting also
in consumer benefits from lower prices for meat. In Europe as in the rest of the world – two thirds of
the benefits of growing GM are shared among European farmers and consumers, while on third goes
to the gene developers and seed suppliers 14 .