Lower pesticide use, higher price premiums, and lower greenhouse gas emissions mean non-GM soy is better for farmers and the environment
An important new study shows that the Brazilian non-GMO soybean meal supply chain is more sustainable than the GMO soybean chain.
Will the WWF-supported Round Table for Responsible Soy now stop endorsing GM soy as “responsible”? We’re not holding our breath.
From the new study’s conclusion:
“Our results show that the non-GM soybean meal chain is more sustainable than the GM chain. Quantity differences (TFP component) include a lower use of biocides, i.e. pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, in the non-GM chain. The main price difference (TPR [Total Price Recovery] component) is associated with the price premium paid per ton of non-GM soybean meal, which reflects consumer preference for non-GM products. In contrast, the GM soybean meal chain has a lower emission of GHGs [greenhouse gases] at the transport to port stage due to a lower amount of fossil fuel used in transportation. This is because GM soybean production is mainly found in the southern Brazilian states that are closer to the ports.”
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Benchmarking the sustainability performance of the Brazilian non-GM and GM soybean meal chains: An indicator-based approach
Gaitán-Cremaschi, D., Kamali, F. P., van Evert, F. K., Meuwissen, M. P., & Lansink, A. G. O. (2015). Food Policy, 55, 22-32.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919215000597
Highlights
• An indicator-based approach for benchmarking products in terms of their sustainability is proposed.
• We used the approach for benchmarking of two Brazilian soybean meal chains.
• The non-GM soybean meal chain resulted more sustainable than the GM chain.
• The approach proved to be an useful approach for evaluating and comparing chain sustainability.
Abstract