THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE
Dear Friends and Colleagues
African Governments Urged to Support Non-GM Preferred Cotton Over GM Cotton
According to a white paper from the Textile Exchange Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group, “Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a Crossroads,” an increasing number of countries in Africa are choosing to adopt GM cotton.
The Working Group urges policymakers in Africa to support organic or other non-GM preferred cotton production standards, which can boost farmer income and revitalize rural economies. “Preferred cotton” production is defined as that which results in “improved environmental and/or social sustainability outcomes and impacts in comparison to conventional production”.
The paper cites evidence from India and other GM cotton-growing countries which points to higher economic, social, and financial risks, especially for resource-poor farmers, as well as the potential for increased use of pesticides, brought about by resistance to commonly used pesticides, and outbreaks of secondary pests. Conversely, there is evidence that conversion to organic production has resulted in an increase in net income with comparative or increased yields and lower production costs.
The report concludes by urging policymakers and the textile industry to “take a path toward resilient and healthy rural communities and capitalize on the growing demand for organic and preferred cotton” in response to consumer and industry market demand. If countries decide to pursue GM cultivation, the Working Group advises governments to adopt the precautionary principle and develop stringent biosafety regulations addressing the research and use of GM crops, including strict liability provisions for seed patent holders and clear rules to support coexistence with GM-free preferred cotton supply chains, starting with seed development, production, and supply systems.
With best wishes,
Third World Network
131 Jalan Macalister
10400 Penang
Malaysia
Email: twn@twnetwork.org
Websites: http://www.twn.my/and http://www.biosafety-info.net/
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Item 1
News Release
June 9, 2020 at 9 am CEST, 3 am EDT
CONTACT: Donna Worley Director of Marketing Communications and Public Relations Donna@TextileExchange.org | 1.806.577.0652 (U.S. Central)
TEXTILE EXCHANGE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS WITH RECENT INCREASE IN ADOPTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) COTTON IN AFRICA
Demand for organic and preferred cotton is growing; ensuring support for non-GM sustainable alternatives will give farmers a choice and protect their ability to have market access.
Lubbock, Texas | June 9, 2020 at 9 am CEST, 3 am EDT – According to a new Textile Exchange Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group white paper, “Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a Crossroads,” an increasing number of countries in Africa are choosing to adopt genetically modified (GM) cotton, defined as cotton that has had its genetic material (DNA) altered in a manner that does not occur naturally. However, Africa appears to be of two minds: while seven out of its 54 countries permit GM cotton production, four have opted out. Many other countries are in the consideration phase.
Noting the global sustainable textile cotton industry’s increasing demand for organic and GM free preferred cotton, and given concerns about the environmental and economic ramifications of GM cotton, the Working Group urges policymakers in Africa to support preferred cotton production standards which prohibit genetic modification such as organic, Fairtrade, and Cotton made in Africa (CmiA). The white paper outlines the risks of scaling GM cotton in Africa and the opportunities of organic and GM-free preferred cotton standards. The use of GM cotton was slow to start on the continent, with South Africa being the first country to permit its use in 1997, followed by Burkina Faso 11 years later in 2008 (Burkina Faso has since suspended its approval) and Eswatini and Sudan in 2012. However, in 2018 alone, another four countries – Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi – approved the use of GM cotton and Eswatini started growing the crop. In 2020, Kenya planted GM cotton for the first time commercially. In Africa, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, and Madagascar prohibited or have opted out of genetic modification in general, or GM cotton specifically.
“With relatively little penetration of GM cotton, African countries have an opportunity to learn from other countries’ experiences of GM technology and weigh the pros and cons,” says Liesl Truscott, Textile Exchange Director of European and Materials Strategy and Coordinator of the Working Group. “Demand for organic and other non-GM cotton continues to increase and, keeping in mind the genetic biodiversity and resilience that local seed varieties can offer, we hope this report creates food for thought for decision-makers at all levels. In the journey toward regenerative organic fiber production, it is vital for countries to allow for GM-free cotton initiatives based on organic practices and the precautionary principle to flourish.” Prama Bhardwaj, CEO and Founder of Mantis World and Chair of the Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group, urges African cotton producers to “choose to grow organic cotton which can be integrated into the growing African sustainable textile supply chain or used by manufacturers in Europe and the Middle East,” all of which are striving to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals addressing responsible production as well as industry commitments.
According to Textile Exchange’s 2019 Organic Cotton Market Report, global production of organic cotton saw impressive growth between 2016/17 and 2017/18, increasing 56 percent to 180,971 metric tons (831,193 bales). Africa accounted for approximately four percent of global organic cotton production in 2017/18, experiencing a 20 percent increase over 2016/17. Approximately 37,000 farmers in eight countries grow organic cotton; Tanzania is by far the largest organic cotton producing country on the continent, followed (in order of volume) by Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Senegal.
Several Working Group brands source organic cotton from Africa, including Cotonea, Mantis World, and Mayamiko.
“Africa is at a crossroads,” says La Rhea Pepper, Textile Exchange Managing Director. “It is key for governments, farmers, and other stakeholders to recognize the importance of protecting the right of farmers to grow non-GM crops. Organic agriculture is a proven system for sequestering carbon, building soil health and biodiversity, and increasing food security. Introducing GM agriculture requires the implementation of stringent biosafety regulations as well as investment in non-GM seed and training to ensure coexistence with organic agriculture.”
Textile Exchange’s Pan-Africa Cotton Sourcing Working Group will continue to track policy addressing genetic modification in Africa and advocate for organic and non-GM preferred cotton production standards. Textile Exchange views regenerative organic cotton production systems operating under fairtrade principles as the gold standard.
Quotes from Working Group members:
bioRe® Foundation: “This white paper is extremely important to promote organic cotton production in African countries. Over the last 25 years, as bioRe Foundation has been working in both Tanzania and India, we have observed the devastating negative impacts of GM-cotton production in countries like India, where the coexistence of organic cotton and GM-cotton is extremely difficult to maintain. While seed is a single factor only, organic agriculture is a holistic approach for healthy soils, balanced pest control, and reliable market access, providing sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers.” – Christa Suter, CEO.
Cotonea/Elmer + Zweifel: “As a manufacturer of GOTS-certified organic fabrics, Cotonea/Elmer + Zweifel has supported organic cotton production by the Gulu Agricultural Development Company (GADC) in Uganda since 2009. In this poor region wracked by years of civil war, Cotonea/Elmer + Zweifel has helped expand organic production for 12,500 farmers over the years by providing a reliable, transparent, and high-quality value chain linking the farmers with our manufacturing facilities in Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland and brands throughout Europe.” – Roland Stelzer, Managing Partner.
FiBL, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture: “GM cotton is hardly compatible with agroecologic production and, if done in coexistence with organic cotton, reduces income chances for small-scale farmers due to contamination problems. This white paper sharpens the eyes of the critical readers and explains why preferred cotton, including organic, is the better choice.” – Gian Nicolay, Africa Coordinator and Policy and Sector Development Co-Lead.
Mantis World: “As a B2B supplier of organic apparel, we understand both the brand and supplier needs for the transparent, traceable, and non-GM organic cotton supply chain we have been privileged to have for years in Africa. This paper clearly sets out the opportunities and risks facing African agricultural policymakers as brands look to create more diversified sustainable supply chains post-Covid-19. Africa is at a crossroads when it comes to deciding whether or not to expand GM cotton use; we hope it will choose to turn in the direction of preferred cotton.” – Prama Bhardwaj, Owner.
Pesticide Action Network – UK: “PAN-UK and its partners have demonstrated that, with good quality training, organic cotton production can enable smallholder farmers to achieve at least as good financial returns as conventional cotton while also protecting their health and vital ecosystem services.” – Dr. Sheila Willis, Head of International Programmes.
Soil Association: “Many African nations recognize the far-reaching benefits of supporting organic agriculture for the health of their citizens and the long-term viability of their agricultural sector. GM cotton is an expensive distraction at a time when we need to act fast to tackle the climate crisis and protect the livelihoods of those who are most vulnerable to its effects. This important white paper sets out the situation across the continent and makes a clear case for supporting organic and other non-GM cotton. Coupled with the soaring demand from consumers and brands in the West, now is the time to invest in and promote African organic cotton.” – Sarah Compson, International Development Manager.
The members of the Textile Exchange Pan-Africa Cotton Sourcing Working Group that contributed to the white paper include Aid by Trade Foundation, Bradan Consulting, bioRe® Foundation, Cotonea/Elmer + Zweifel, ecos, Fairtrade Foundation, FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture), GIZ, Mantis World, Mayamiko, Organic Cotton Accelerator, Pesticide Action Network-UK, Soil Association, and Textile Exchange.
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About Textile Exchange
Textile Exchange is a global nonprofit that creates leaders in the sustainable fiber and materials industry. The organization develops, manages, and promotes a suite of leading industry standards and collects and publishes vital industry data and insights that enable brands and retailers to measure, manage, and track their use of preferred fiber and materials. With a membership that represents leading brands, retailers, and suppliers, Textile Exchange has for years been positively impacting climate through accelerating the use of preferred fibers across the global textile industry and is now making it an imperative goal through its 2030 Strategy: Climate+. Under the Climate+ strategic direction, Textile Exchange will be the driving force for urgent climate action with a goal of 35-45% reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030.
To learn more about Textile Exchange, visit TextileExchange.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TextileExchange.
Item 2
PUSH FOR GM COTTON IN AFRICA IS “CAUSE FOR ALARM”, SAYS NONPROFIT
GM Watch
14 June 2020
https://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/19435
Anyone who dips into the research on the performance of genetically modified (GM) cotton will quickly come across studies by scientists like Matin Qaim and David Zilberman, who hyped the performance of GM Bt insecticidal cotton in India in the early days of its release. One of Qaim and Zilberman’s studies from 2003 claimed a massive 80% yield increase from GM Bt cotton. The study, which based its claims on field trials run by Monsanto, came in for heavy criticism – not least from the former Syngenta man Dr Shantu Shantharam, who called it a “shoddy publication based on meagre and questionable field data”.
Since then, however, a growing body of research has pointed to problems with GM Bt cotton. A study based in India cites attacks by Bt-resistant and secondary pests, resulting in an increased need for chemical pesticide sprays. Another study highlights a correlation between Bt cotton adoption and farmer suicides.
But despite the known problems with GM Bt cotton, many African countries are considering adopting it, based on the promise of financial benefits. It’s against this background that the Textile Exchange Pan-Africa Sourcing Working Group has published a report, “Cotton in Africa: Sustainability at a Crossroads”.
The report, which is heavily referenced, brings together a vast amount of research on conventional and GM cotton production versus organic and “preferred cotton” production methods, which ban the use of GM seeds. “Preferred cotton” production is defined as that which results in “improved environmental and/or social sustainability outcomes and impacts in comparison to conventional production”.
The report gives a vivid impression of the widespread failure of GM cotton, which has been plagued by pest attacks, rising chemical pesticide and other input requirements, and farmer indebtedness, leading in some cases to suicides. It addresses concerns over the expansion of GM cotton production in Africa and makes a case for organic and “preferred cotton” production methods, which can boost farmer income and revitalize rural economies.
In the report, the Working Group outlines the status of GM cotton – including recent adoption – and organic cotton production in Africa. Seven African countries have chosen to allow GM cotton so far, while four have opted out.
Findings
Findings of the report include:
* With GM cotton, results vary, and economic benefits have yet to be proven over the longer term, especially for resource-poor smallholder farmers.
* Uncertainty about the financial benefits of GM adoption is one of the most significant risks to farmers, who also experience ever-rising production costs (inputs, labour, and equipment) and cotton price fluctuations on the world cotton market.
* Adoption of GM crops can be a particularly costly risk to cash-poor farmers when financial loss occurs as a result of crop failure, which could limit their ability to purchase GM seed and associated inputs for the following season. This input- and capital-intensive cotton farming production system poses a significant risk of debt, bankruptcy, and even farmer suicides if returns do not pay off, especially for smallholder farmers in countries that do not provide economic safety nets.
* A study in India highlighted the rising input dependence of conventional cotton farming. It showed that in the decade following 2005, when Bt seed began its rapid spread across Indian cotton farms, per hectare costs for seed rose by 78%, insecticide by 158%, and fertilizer by 245%, with the overall production cost of seed cotton increasing by 143%. The researchers found that changes in other inputs, including irrigation, insecticides, and particularly fertilizer use, correspond to better yields, and noted that Bt cotton’s primary impact on Indian agriculture was its role in the rising capital-intensiveness rather than any enduring agronomic benefits.
* With the increasing use of GM cotton comes concerns over insect and weed resistance to Bt toxins and pesticides. The ubiquitous use of Bt in GM cotton agriculture has already created resistance among bollworms, and the emergence of secondary pests, such as whitefly, has been observed in India’s cotton production. Secondary pest attacks can result in additional pesticide applications being needed, which comes with additional costs for producers.
* Studies have found that adoption of GM herbicide-tolerant crops initially reduced the use of herbicides, but that resistant weeds later evolved, and resistance to the herbicide glyphosate has led to increased use of the herbicides dicamba and 2,4-D. GM herbicide-tolerant cotton is spreading illegally in India.
* The growing resistance of bollworms to Bt also creates concern over food security as the pests inevitably also attack food crops (e.g., okra, pigeon pea, and chickpea).
* In Benin, conversion to organic production resulted in an increase in net income of almost 50 percent per hectare of cotton, while yields were maintained or increased, and production costs were 185 and 307% lower than conventional producers in 2017/18 and 2018/19, respectively.
* Another study in Benin showed that organic cotton is more profitable than conventional cotton despite somewhat lower yields. Organic cotton farmers make use of locally available inputs, which are cheaper than the chemical inputs employed by conventional farmers. Moreover, organic cotton farmers benefit from a price differential, which, combined with the low costs of production, compensates for any yield gap.
* A 2012-14 study in Burkina Faso that analyzed the financial profitability of organic, GM and conventional cotton systems found that despite a significant difference in yield between the transgenic and conventional systems and the organic system, there was no significant difference between the profit margins generated by these different modes of cotton production given the cost of synthetic inputs shouldered by producers of conventional or GM producers. Indeed, the relative weakness of the yield of the organic system is compensated for by the relatively low production costs and the selling price, which is approximately 30% higher.
* In Ethiopia, organic farmers had similar or higher yields than their conventional counterparts and often earned considerably higher incomes.
GM push is cause for alarm
The report concludes by urging policymakers and the textile industry to “take a path toward resilient and healthy rural communities and capitalize on the growing demand for organic and preferred cotton” in response to consumer and industry market demand.
The authors write, “The recent push to expand GM cotton production on the continent without robust research into the long-term effects on farmer livelihoods and the environment is cause for alarm. Evidence from India and other GM cotton-growing countries points to higher economic, social, and financial risks as well as the potential for increased use of pesticides, brought about by resistance to commonly used pesticides, and outbreaks of secondary pests. Past experiences in these and other countries with the introduction of GM crops also pose concerns over seed sovereignty, biodiversity, and uncontrolled contamination of non-GM crops. On top of this are ethical concerns, with some perceiving genetic modification of seed as incompatible with the principles of sustainability and violating the intrinsic integrity of life.”
If countries decide to pursue GM cultivation, the Working Group advises governments to adopt the precautionary principle and develop stringent biosafety regulations addressing the research and use of GM crops, including strict liability provisions for seed patent holders and clear rules to support coexistence with GM-free preferred cotton supply chains, starting with seed development, production, and supply systems. The Working Group says it will continue to track the use of GM cotton in Africa and advocate for cotton production and processing standards that avoid the use of the technology.