1 The GMO experience in North & South America – where to from here?

In 2003 North and South America (NSAm) accounted for more than 64 million ha, 94%, of total world area planted to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Delivery has occurred almost entirely through the private sector and adoption has been rapid in areas where the crops addressed serious production constraints and where farmers had access to the new technologies. Four countries (USA, Argentina, Brazil and Canada), four crops (soybean, cotton, canola and maize) and two traits (insect resistance and herbicide tolerance) account for the vast majority of the global transgenic area. Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Uruguay and Paraguay have also planted GMOs. The economic benefits of the diffusion of GMOs have been widely shared among farmers, industry, and consumers despite the fact that the products are patented. The GMOs have had a favorable impact on the environment by facilitating reduced pesticide use and the adoption of conservation tillage. This paper surveys the level and distribution of the economic impacts of GMOs in NSAm to date. Media summary Ninety-four percent of world transgenic crop area is in the Americas. The economic benefits of GMOs have been widely shared among farmers, industry, and consumers