2 5 8 O u t l o o k s o n Pe s t M a n a g e m e n t -D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 O u t l o o ks o n Pe s t M a n a g e m e n t -O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9 1 The authors acknowledge that the classification of different countries into less developed or developed country status affects the distribution of benefits between these two categories of country. The definition used in this paper is consistent with the definition used by James (2007) GLOBAL IMPACT OF BIOTECH CROPS O u t l o o k s o n Pe s t M a n a g e m e n t -D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9 2 5 9 GLOBAL IMPACT OF BIOTECH CROPS 2 O u t l o o ks o n Pe s t M a n a g e m e n t -O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

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This article updates the assessment of the impact commercialized agricultural biotechnology is having on global agriculture from an environmental perspective. It focuses on the impact of changes in pesticide use and greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of biotech crops. The technology has reduced pesticide spraying by 352 million kg (-8.4%) and, as a result, decreased the environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use on these crops (as measured by the indicator the environmental impact quotient) by 16.3%. The technology has also significantly reduced the release of greenhouse gas emissions from this cropping area, which, in 2008, was equivalent to removing 6.9 million cars from the roads.

This paper updates previous assessments of the environmental impacts associated with using crop biotechnology (specifically genetically modified crops) in global agriculture. It focuses on the environmental impacts associated with changes in pesticide use and greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of GM crops since their first widespread commercial use 22 years ago. The adoption of GM insect resistant and herbicide tolerant technology has reduced pesticide spraying by 775.4 million kg (8.3%) and, as a result, decreased the environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use on these crops (as measured by the indicator, the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ)) by 18.5%. The technology has also facilitated important cuts in fuel use and tillage changes, resulting in a significant reduction in the release of greenhouse gas emissions from the GM cropping area. In 2018, this was equivalent to removing 15.27 million cars from the roads.

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