Sustainability Benefits Following the Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Canada

Abstract

The adoption of genetically modified canola in 1995 in Western Canada was done to improve the control of weeds during cropproduction. Thirty years later, Western Canadian agriculture has witnessed a complete transformation, whereby the use ofsummerfallow as the leading form of weed control has virtually disappeared, to be replaced by continuous cropping, zero orminimum tillage land management practices. Of course there are trade-offs. The removal of tillage practices has increased soilmoisture conservation and reduced soil erosion, but it has also resulted in an increase in herbicide applications. However, theenvironmental impact from the current suite of herbicides applied are considerably lower than previous ones, which often requiredsoil incorporation instead of foliar application. All food production practices have impacts on the environment and biodiversity,however, the key is to identify best practices that contribute to increased production coupled with a lower environmental footprint.This article reviews the transition that Western Canadian agriculture has undergone over the past 30 years, highlighting the benefitsfor the environment and biodiversity.