GM Food Systems and Their Economic Impact. CABI Biotechnology Series 7 (Plant Science / Horticulture)

Abstract This book includes 6 chapters examining the relevance of transgenic crops in food production, prices and the environment. It initially describes the historical evolution of biotechnology and defines key terms, before moving on to explore transgenic technology and food regime concepts. It analyses genetically modified organism (GMO) policy as part of overall agrarian policy, considering neoregulation in the USA, the EU, Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and Serbia, as well as discussing agricultural performance, support and trade relations. The effect of transgenic food production on world food prices is also examined, along with food security at global and regional levels, and the links between GMOs and world hunger. The environmental implications of transgenic technology are considered through analysis of pesticide and fertilizer usage and efficiency, and pesticide consumption in GMO and non-GMO producing countries. Finally, the book considers the entry of transgenic ingredients into the food chain and lists GMOs approved for use in foods and products contaminated with unapproved GMOs. The key features of this book include: a detailed analysis of economic data; a comparison of international trends, including BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and Serbia; evaluation of environmental and food security implications; and glossary of important terms. This book is intended for a wide range of professionals and researchers whose interests relate to all aspects of the global food system, including policy makers, policy advisers and analysts, NGOs, students and other interest groups. Cover 1 Cabi Biotechnology Series 3 GM Food Systems and Their Economic Impact 4 Copyright 5 English Editors 6 Contents 8 Contributors 10 Preface 12 List of Figures 16 List of Tables 20 List of Acronyms 22 1 Ancient, Classical and Modern Biotechnology 26 1.1 Historical Evolution of Biotechnology 29 1.1.1 Biotechnology as a reflection of human history 34 1.2 Definitions of Biotechnology 36 1.2.1 Biotechnology classification by colour 37 1.2.2 Definitions of genetic engineering, GMOs and GM food 38 References 38 2 Genetically Modified Foods in the Light of Food Regimes 41 2.1 Food Regime Theory 42 2.1.1 The first food regime 43 2.1.2 The second food regime 44 2.1.3 The third food regime 47 2.2 Supranational Regulatory Context of Transgenic Technology 50 2.3 Transgenic Technology Neoregulation 52 2.3.1 USA 53 2.3.2 EU 58 Spain 62 2.3.3 Brics 64 Russia 65 Brazil 73 China 80 India 87 South Africa 94 2.3.4 Serbia 101 2.3.5 Final remarks: Tying the case studies together 107 Notes 108 References 108 3 Does Transgenic Food Production Affect World Food Prices? 116 3.1 Long-run Trends in International Prices 118 3.2 Effects of Increased Asian Demand on Food Prices 122 3.3 US Ethanol and Maize Prices 125 3.4 Transgenic Crops and Food Prices 129 3.5 Effects of Transgenic Technology on Food Prices in the Least-Developed Countries 138 Note 141 References 141 4 Food Security and GMOs 143 4.1 Food Security Dimensions 143 4.1.1 Food security at the global level 144 4.1.2 Food security by special groups and regions 146 4.2 Effects of GMOs on World Hunger 150 References 159 5 Is GMO Farming an Eco-Friendly Choice? 161 5.1 Global Pesticide and Fertilizer Use 162 5.2 Efficiency of Fertilizer and Pesticide Use 164 5.3 Pesticide Consumption Trends: Comparison Between 168 GMO and non-GMO Producing Countries 168 Acknowledgments 175 References 175 6 GMOs: What are We Eating? 177 6.1 GMOs Approved For Use in Food 178 6.2 GMO Contaminations 182 6.3 Examples of Processed Final Products with GMO Ingredients 186 6.4 Who Owns Transgenic Foods? 188 References 195 Concluding Remarks 198 Glossary 204 A 204 B 206 C 207 D 210 E 212 F 213 G 216 H 218 I 219 J 221 K 221 L 221 M 222 N 224 O 226 P 226 Q 228 R 228 S 229 T 231 U 233 V 234 W 234 Y 235 Suggested Reading 236 Index 238 Back Cover 247 The development of transgenic crops is revolutionary, but what does it mean for food production, prices and the environment? This is the first book to examine the economic evidence in a methodical way. It initially describes the historical evolution of biotechnology and defines key terms, before moving on to explore transgenic technology and food regime concepts. The book analyzes genetically modified organism (GMO) policy as part of overall agrarian policy, considering neoregulation in the USA, the EU, Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and Serbia; as well as discussing agricultural performance, support and trade relations. The effect of transgenic food production on world food prices is also examined, along with food security at global and regional levels, and the links between GMOs and world hunger. The environmental implications of transgenic technology are considered through analysis of pesticide and fertilizer usage and efficiency, and pesticide consumption in GMO and non-GMO producing countries. Finally, the book considers the entry of transgenic ingredients into the food chain and lists the products affected. Key features: - Detailed analysis of economic data. - Comparison of international trends, including BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and Serbia. - Evaluation of environmental and food security implications. - Glossary of important terms. This book will be valuable for agricultural economists, including students at Masters and PhD level. It will also be of interest to agricultural engineers, food technologists, nutritionists, industry representatives, policy makers, policy advisers and analysts and NGOs. This book adopts a methodical approach to provide a novel exploration of the effects of GM crops on global economy, as well as examining the links between GM and food security at global and regional levels. The environmental implications of GM are also considered, by comparing pesticide use and efficiency in GM and non-GM countries.