Genetic Engineering

Since the first commercial biotech crops were grown in 1996, plant biotechnology has proved to be the most rapidly adopted new technology by farmers ever. All the indications are that this growth will continue, particularly in developing countries. The area sown to biotech seed has soared to some 90 million hectares worldwide, with an increase of 11% in 2005 alone. North and South America still account for the largest areas, and this will continue to be the case for the near future, with the recent approval and adoption of biotech seeds in Brazil. The rate of growth has been most rapid in other regions, mainly in the developing world, and particularly in the major emerging economies of China and India. More European farmers are now planting biotech seeds for the first time because of the clear benefits they bring. From an established base in Spain, farmers in France, Portugal, Germany and the Czech Republic are now growing these crops.