CHINA: Safe and scientific use of agrochemicals

Agrochemicals play an important role in increasing agricultural production and incomes. But the use of agrochemicals sets certain requirements for food safety, trading and environmental safety. CropLife China's training with farmers, agrochemical distributors and agricultural technicians has led to improved practices in agrochemical use. The results are safer application behaviour, shift towards low-toxic, low-residue and highly effective chemicals, more savings from less number of applications, and improved passing rates for vegetable residue testing. 

Source: Jeff Au, China Agricultural Information Portal (www.5iny.com), May 2006
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Safe use in India: Teaching stewardship

Village farmers in Guntur District of India were known for their liberal use of pesticides and disregard for safety measures. But all that began to change when help arrived one day. Read the story of how CropLife India’s Safe Use of Pesticides Project is transforming lives and families in farming communities.

Source: Scott C Lucas, Farm Chemicals International, June 2006
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KOREA: 'Biotech crops are safe'

Biotech food crops benefit the natural environment and are safe, says Professor Martina McGloughlin (left) from the Department of Plant Pathology of UC Davis. The question is how to correct the misunderstandings and fears of the public, and how to correct misinformation.

Source: Jung-Bae Kim, Food Journal, 10 November 2006
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CHINA: Let consumers understand genetically modified crops

The inaugural Crop Biotechnology Media Workshop was held by the Biotechnology team from Croplife China in Beijing on 16th June 2006. It aimed at giving consumers a more accurate and scientific understanding of genetically modified crop technology and its development, plus the benefits that the industrialization of genetically modified crops brings to farmers, consumers and the environment. It also addressed safety related issues of genetically modified crops and their products by promoting scientific knowledge about the current situation and safety issues of agricultural applications of genetically modified crop technology.

Source: China Food Quality, 20 June 2006
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CHINA: GM – Biotechnology at our Side

Misunderstanding the ‘basics’ of plant biotechnology can cause confusion about this advanced life science and its benefits. To help focus on the facts, journalists in Beijing recently attended a knowledge-sharing event where some of China’s top scientists talked about biotech basics, benefits and how plant biotechnology can help China’s 1.3 billion people enjoy an improved quality of life.

In the seven years since genetically modified cotton was introduced in China, the accumulated acreage planted with Bt cotton has reached 127 million Mu (8.5 million hectares). Over the period, biotech crops have cut pesticide use by 650,000 tonnes, reduced the farmland environmental pollution index by 21%, and generated a socio-economic return exceeding 22.1 billion yuan.

Source: China Farmers Daily, 18 June 2006
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