AgBioForum, vol. 14, no.2 (2011)
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Item Yields, Insecticide Productivity, and Bt Corn : Evidence from Damage Abatement Models in the Philippines(AgBioForum, 2011) Mutuc, Maria Erlinda; Rejesus, Roderick M.; Yorobe, Jose M., Jr.This article provides evidence on the effects of Bt corn on yield and insecticide productivity in the Philippines using a damage abatement framework that accounts for selection and endogeneity issues. We find that the yield-enhancing effect (or the damage- abating effect) of Bt corn is more strongly observed under poor weather conditions as compared to the effect in more "normal" weather. The value of using insecticides for controlling pests is significantly reduced when farmers already use Bt technology as a means of control.Item Variety Market Development : A Bt Cotton Cropping Factor and Constraint in China(AgBioForum, 2011) Fok, Michel; Xu, NaiyinIn China, Bt-cotton varieties have been marketed since 1997 to help control attacks of some cotton pests, notably Helicoverpa armigera. It is estimated that Bt-cotton is currently grown on about 70% of the total Chinese cotton-growing area. Most studies have explained this broad distribution by the specific advantages of Bt-cotton, particularly the reduction in pesticide use but this has been questioned by some recent papers, which also raised the issue of seed prices. In our study, which is based on datasets seldom used in earlier analyses, we argue that Bt-cotton use in China has been influenced by the development of the cotton variety market. Bt-cotton adoption has benefited from the development of the variety market facilitated by a favorable legal framework since the mid-1990s. Yet, quality uncertainties and high seed prices threaten the profitability and continued use of Bt-cotton as well as development of the variety market. A quality seed subsidy policy was launched in 2007 to rectify the disorder in the variety and seed market, but the effectiveness of this regulation measure is debatable.Item Risk of Regulation or Regulation of Risk? A De Minimus Framework for Genetically Modified Crops(AgBioForum, 2011) Durham, Tim; Doucet, John; Snyder, Lori UnruhThe precautionary principle places an impractical onus on science to demonstrate the absolute safety of genetically-modified (GM) crops. Conversely, traditionally bred articles receive little, if any, regulatory attention. Procedurally, GM certainly has the potential to create end products with deleterious (and thus regulatory actionable) characteristics. However, such risk is ultimately embodied in the end product and not the methodology, per se. Our proposal emphasizes a trait-based, end product model over the method-centric model. Using a de minimus framework, we propose a pragmatic, science-based rubric to assess GM crops. De minimus is designed to minimize regulatory bottlenecks for articles exhibiting nominal risk commensurate with antecedence, while reserving the amenities of precaution for those with an evidently higher risk index. Although GM may pose unique regulatory challenges, it is important that the regulation of risk not turn into the risk of regulation.Item The Prospects for Acceptance of Animal Cloning in the European Food Chain : Early Insights from an Irish Sentinel Group(AgBioForum, 2011) Murphy, Cathal; Henchion, Maeve; McCarthy, Mary; Williams, Gwilym A.European stakeholders will soon face a decision regarding the acceptability of livestock cloning. Commercial exploitation of cloning for food purposes within the European Union will require an insight into public sentiment, and a communication strategy that addresses risk perception. The present study canvassed the opinions of expert stakeholders within the Irish arena.Item Identified Gaps in Biosafety Knowledge and Expertise in Sub-Saharan Africa(AgBioForum, 2011) Obonyo, Dennis N.; Nfor, Lilian M.; Uzochukwu, Sylvia; Araya-Quesada, Marianela; Farolfi, Francesca; Ripandelli, Decio; Craig, WendyAdoption of genetically modified (GM) crops has the potential to contribute toward alleviating the dire food security situation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, whether current or future GM crop technologies will be appropriate for countries in SSA will depend upon a number of issues, not least of which is the perceived safety of these products. Several countries in SSA however lack the necessary technical capacity to conduct or review risk assessment dossiers for GM crops and also to monitor for compliance. Biosafety regulatory capacity therefore needs to be enhanced and this requires substantial human and institutional resources. This study is an assessment of the current biosafety needs in SSA. It identifies gaps in biosafety knowledge and expertise in the region and makes proposals for possible training/support programs that could help toward addressing them.