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 crop
production. Thirty years later, Western Canadian agriculture has witnessed a complete transformation, whereby the use of
summerfallow as the leading form of weed control has virtually disappeared, to be replaced by continuous cropping, zero or
minimum tillage land management practices. Of course there are trade-offs. The removal of tillage practices has increased soil
moisture conservation and reduced soil erosion, but it has also resulted in an increase in herbicide applications. However, the
environmental impact from the current suite of herbicides applied are considerably lower than previous ones, which often required
soil 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 benefits
for the environment and biodiversity.