Benefit estimates from potato agricultural biotechnology
The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP) in the US
published a report in January 2001 providing data on estimated benefits from commercialising GM crops. Data indicates that in 1996 only 1% of the US potato acreage was covered by GM varieties (NewLeafTM; CPB-resistant) but by 2000 this had
increased to between 2 and 3%. The figures reflect combined adoption of
NewLeafTM, NewLeafTM Plus (introduced in 1999) and NewLeafTM Y (also
introduced in 1999). The report suggests that factors which contributed to low
adoption rates include the need to control other pests in addition to CPB
(limiting potential savings on chemical insect control), the development of a
very effective conventional insecticide (imidacloprid) and, of course, lack of
adoption of GM potato by large industry end-users due to consumer concerns.
However, the report does indicate that by using NewLeafTM Plus growers could
save considerably in reduced losses due to net necrosis and reduced insecticide
costs. Including a ‘technology fee’ payable to NatureMark® of $46 per acre for
NewLeafTM Plus, trials indicate an average saving of $85 per acre in 1998 and
$134 per acre in 1999 (Carpenter and Giannessi, 2001 and references therein).