Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
problem caused by the ability of weeds to disperse between farms. At least one
HT crop provider is issuing rebates to growers who plant specific HT crop
varieties, use glyphosate herbicides manufactured by that HT crop technology
provider, and agree to use pre-emergent, residual herbicides.
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The rebate
program promotes the use of glyphosate in combination with other herbicides,
which mitigates resistance; however, the program does not fully address the
reduced incentive to adopt BMPs caused by the ability of weed seeds and
pollen to disperse between farms. USDA's NRCS recently initiated the
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation
Plan, which specifies guidelines for monitoring, recordkeeping, IPM, and
conservation that satisfy criteria for soil, water, and air quality. Under the
program, USDA pays farmers 75 percent of the cost of developing activity
plans, which contain the minimum components needed to apply for cost-
sharing assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP). This program can help promote the adoption of BMPs. However, in
the absence of widespread adoption of BMPs, farmer participation might be
insufficient to manage the evolution of glyphosate resistance in a manner that
is optimal for crop producers.
C
ONSUMER
D
EMAND FOR
GE
P
RODUCTS
The successful marketing of crops produced via genetic engineering is
contingent on consumer acceptance of these products (or products containing
GE ingredients). Some consumers, including those in the European Union,
have indicated a reluctance to consume GE products. In other countries,
including the United States, expression of consumer concern is less
widespread. Researchers studying markets in high-income nations often find
that consumers are willing to pay a premium for non-GE products,
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but recent
studies have found that some consumers in developing countries, and others
interested in second-generation traits like enhanced nutrition content, are more
willing to consider GE foods. Information and types of GE technology may
also affect consumer response to GE foods. In some countries, retailers have
developed particular policies for GE ingredients in the foods they sell under
their own brand names.
