The table below shows the most commonly used broad-spectrum herbicides and the genes that are inserted in crop plants in order to confer resistance.

According to statistics released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), the total global area of transgenic crops in 2003 was 67.7 million hectares, a 40-fold increase from 1996 and a 15% increase within a single year.

Approximately six million farmers in 18 countries grew transgenic crops in 2003. The majority of the change between 2002 and 2003 occurred in the United States (63%), Argentina (20.5%), Canada (6.5%) and Brazil (4.4%).  In 2003, Brazil and the Philippines approved the planting of specific varieties of transgenic crops for the first time. Almost one third (30%) of the global acreage was grown in developing countries.

While the number of countries growing transgenic crops has been increasing, so too is the number of varieties of transgenic crops being approved.  In 2003, herbicide resistant crops made up 73% of the total genetically modified (GM) crop growing area, while insect resistant crops constituted 18%. GM crops containing genes for both herbicide resistance and insect resistance comprised 8% of the total GM crop growing area.

The information contained in this page was believed to be correct at the time it was collated. New patents and patent applications, altered status of patents, and case law may have resulted in changes in the landscape. CAMBIA makes no warranty that it is correct or up to date at this time and accepts no liability for any use that might be made of it. Corrections or updates to the information are welcome. Please send an email to info@bios.net.

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