A report commissioned by Bayer AG has found that life without glyphosate herbicide would be costly and difficult.
Aimpoint Research, a global strategic intelligence firm, said that while the American agricultural system and farmers would adapt over time, the immediate impacts to the economy, environment and farmers will be extensive and costly.
If glyphosate were no longer available:
- U.S. agriculture would see increased tillage and decreased cover crops, potentially leading to the release of up to 34 million tons of carbon dioxide. That’s the equivalent of 6.8 million cars or nearly 36.5 million acres of forests.
- Farmers would see a doubling of input costs due to limited supply and higher prices of alternative products. The increase would disproportionately impact smaller farms.
- Increasing tillage would raise production costs by more than $1.9 billion.
- Increased production costs would add inflationary pressure on food prices over the long-term for consumers.
- U.S. agriculture - and U.S. corn in particular - would become less competitive globally.
- More alternatives would eventually be available over time but would take several years and significant investment – investment that would likely be slowed by regulatory uncertainty and a vacuum in crop protection innovation.
