The use of genetically modified crops increased by some 19% last year as the world's farmers planted new biotechnology processed seeds at almost twice the rate they did the previous year.

This was disclosed by Noel Borlongan, government and public affairs director of Monsanto Philippines, Inc., the local office of the world's leading agricultural research firm.

Mr. Borlongan cited a report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotechnology Applications (ISAA) which also said there are now about 130 million acres of land worldwide that are planted to biotechnology processed plants.

"Biotech crops now account for 52% of the United States' corn, soy, cotton and canola acreage," Mr. Borlongan said citing the ISAA report.

Mr. Borlongan added that the US grew 68% of the world's total biotech crop acres, or 88.4 million acres.

The Philippines imports part of its corn requirements for livestock feeds from the US.
Mr. Borlongan said the significant increase in the global use of biotech crops has resulted in greater farm productivity and "brought several parts of the world, especially Third World countries closer to food security."

He also said the growing use of biotech crops indicates the rising confidence in both the productivity and safety aspects of biotechnology. There is also a growing recognition of biotech crops to the protection and preservation of the environment since the use of such crops significantly reduce the amount of required insecticide and herbicide application.

Biotechnology allows for the development of plant seeds that are naturally resistant to specific insects and weeds.

Mr. Borlongan said outside of the US, Argentina's farmers grew 29.2 million acres of biotech crops or 22% of the world's total. Canada accounted for 6%, and China, 3%.

Several Asian countries have already begun the commercial use of biotech crops. Mr. Borlongan said Indonesia recently planted some 10,000 hectares of its corn farm with biotechnology processed corn called Yieldgard. The product is now undergoing farm testing in the Philippines.

Mr. Borlongan said Monsanto is optimistic that Yieldgard will be commercially available in the Philippines by the middle of this year. He said Monsanto is actively seeking out groups opposed to biotechnology for a scientific dialogue on the nature and benefits of this modern process.

He assured anti-biotechnology groups that Monsanto will support moves by the Philippine government "to provide farmers with the option of using traditional seeds or biotechnology processed seeds."