Cultivation of GM plants:
Rapid increase worldwide, cautious start in Europe

Tendency increasing further: GM plants on 134 million hectares worldwide in 2009
The cultivation of genetically modified plants worldwide also increased in 2009. In comparison to 2008, field area increased by seven per cent to 134 million hectares. In the case of soybean, 77 per cent of world production is achieved with GM soy and this figure is 49 per cent in the case of cotton.

continue

Cultivation 2009: Field area for Bt maize decreases

The field area for genetically modified plants in the European Union decreased further in 2009. In France and Germany, national cultivation bans for genetically modified Bt maize (MON810) were enacted in 2009. In the meanwhile, stricter co-existence regulations apply in almost all EU member states.

continue

Spain: Bt maize prevails

Bt maize has been grown in Spain since 1998. In 2009, 79 000 hectares were cultivated with Bt-maize. In regions suffering from heavy pest infestations Bt-maize has established itself with almost blanket coverage. There it is not only economically attractive but has also reduced the use of insecticides.

continue

Soy, maize, cotton and rapeseed: The big four
Soy, maize, cotton, and rapeseed account for almost all commercial GMO production. GM plants are grown mainly in North and South America, but increasingly also in India, China and South Africa.

Area under crops and cultivating countries:

Soybean

Maize

Rapeseed

Cotton

Cultivation in the USA in 2009: The trend for genetically modified plants remains steady
In the USA the farmers are still committed to green gene technology. For soya and sugar beet, in 2009 genetically modified varieties represented over 90% of the total; for maize and cotton it was a little lower. Overall, the acreage under GM crop plants increased by 5% to over 62 million hectares.

continue