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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe precautionary principle \u2013 the ethical equivalent of the common sense notion that it\u2019s \u2018better to be safe than sorry\u2019 \u2013 means that when some economic or policy change may endanger the public, business and government leaders ought to thoroughly conduct research so as to avoid exposing anyone to unnecessary risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, with our food system, our government continues to ignore ethics and common sense, recently approving as ‘safe for breeding and growing’ a new genetically modified (GM) variety of wheat – HB4. Copying and combining certain genes from sunflowers to create this new variety, HB4 is not only pitched to farmers as a tool they could use to battle our ever-increasingly dire climate crisis, but also to increase yields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is another, as this latest proposed tech solution to address our climate crisis stands to improve the financial situation of agribusiness corporations more than farmers, while also likely harming our environment instead of helping it. Not only should the USDA rethink their decision, but our officials ought to instead support publicly financing regional and local varieties of seed. Strengthening key provisions of the Farm Bill that is currently in Congress could make such proposals a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The overarching problem with HB4 \u2013 particularly for US farmers \u2013 is economic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to USDA data from the past twenty-five years, operating costs for wheat farmers have more than tripled in terms of dollars spent per acre \u2013 increasing from just over $57 in 1998, to more than $187 in 2023. Also during this time, while the input cost of seed has more than doubled, going from $7 to $16, chemicals have tripled, climbing from $7 to $22.\u00a0 Fertilizer expenses have risen the most \u2013 going from $18 to over $78 \u2013 representing nearly half of what farmers spend per acre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wheat is more than a crop, or ingredient that ends up in bread, but an industry, with chemical, fertilizer, and seed companies each clawing for a share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, wheat prices in our global marketplace have been volatile. The 28% jump that farmers experienced in the first months of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 quickly stabilized thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative \u2013 the plan that allowed grain to leave the region for a time until Russia\u2019s left the agreement in 2023 \u2013 and different countries easing their export restrictions.\u00a0 Prices then fell, as Ukraine, regularly one of the world\u2019s top wheat exporters, saw its production rebound to pre-invasion levels.\u00a0 Russia\u2019s 2023\/2024 exports also exceeded expectations, increasing by 7% over the prior year, making this country the world\u2019s leader in export sales by far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the US\u2019 share of wheat exports has steadily fallen for decades, from about 45% in 1980 to just over 15% in 2014.\u00a0 With worldwide production increasing, US wheat farmers may take a loss in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining open export markets for wheat can spell the difference between financial life or death for US farmers.\u00a0 On this point, there is no indication that world markets are currently willing to accept HB4, as major international buyers of US wheat have not approved it. With <\/a>contamination of non-GM wheat a problem that we have been aware of for years, we need to be careful as US farmers can only sell what importers will accept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other issue with HB4 wheat is that the seed not only resists drought, but also glufosinate herbicides.\u00a0 Farmers who purchase the seed will have to buy this chemical, in addition to fertilizer.\u00a0 And despite what the USDA claims about safety, studies show that this class of herbicides is toxic to wildlife and humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, in addition to potential environmental harm, we have a case of the \u2018price-cost\u2019 squeeze that farmers suffer too often, with the inputs that they need taking a significant chunk of their earnings, while the prices that they receive for their labor either shrinking or fluctuating in ways that are largely out of their control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accordingly, if we really want safety \u2013 for farmers\u2019 finances and the environment \u2013 we ought to work more on promoting regional and local seed varieties instead of looking to multinational corporations for guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both versions of our beleaguered Farm Bill contain such provisions, with the House and Senate versions of the legislation dedicating grant funding to the development of regional seed varieties (referred to as \u201ccultivars\u201d in the legislation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The operative word here is \u201cregional,\u201d as grant funding may lead to the creation of new seed varieties that would be suited to particular areas and climates. Droughts in general entail a lack of water; but soil conditions and weather patterns vary significantly by region. As a result, we need to develop diverse kinds of seeds that suit different ecosystems instead of global \u201cone size fits all\u201d varieties like we find with GM options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the USDA decided that HB4 was \u201csafe,\u201d they must have left out considerations for farmer financial wellbeing and the environment. But our legislators can make up for this mistake with the Farm Bill \u2013 whether it emerges in a lame duck session this year following the elections in November or awaits our next Congress \u2013 taking heed of the risks that GM crops pose, and supporting more local and regional food system development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By: Anthony Pahnke, Vice President of the Family Farm Defenders and Assistant Professor of International Relations at San Francisco State University, and Jim Goodman repurposed dairy farmer from Wonewoc, Wisconsin and board President of the National Family Farm Coalition. Originally … Continue reading