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 (NewLeaf^TM; CPB-resistant) but by 2000 this had increased to between 2 and 3%. The figures reflect combined adoption of NewLeaf^TM, NewLeaf^TM Plus (introduced in 1999) and NewLeaf^TM 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 NewLeaf^TM 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 NewLeaf^TM 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).