According to reports, US farmers’ interest in genetically modified (GM) crops is waning as consumer demand for organic and non-GM crops increases.
While currently focused predominantly on commodity crops such as corn and soybeans, it could also have implications for the development of other commercial GM crops such as potatoes and vegetables. According to online sources, some seed companies have seen an increase of 50 per cent in the sales of non-GMO seed.
Greg Roth of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, said: “During the past two months we have encountered many reports of a growing interest in non-GMO soya bean and corn production.” There is also concern that certain GM traits may be failing as resistance seems to be building amongst root worm and weed species.
“You have people questioning the value of the Roundup gene,” commented Bob Hartzler of Iowa State University. “How many are [changing production] because of that concern, I don’t know.”