An influential British government study revealed that farming of some biotech crops could lead to significantly lower numbers of insects, an important link in the wildlife food chain. The results of the so-called farm-scale evaluations reveal significant differences in the effect on biodiversity when managing genetically herbicide-tolerant crops as compared to conventional varieties. The genetically modified strains enabled farmers to use different herbicides, which generally proved more effective at controlling weeds without damaging the crops. The report showed that weeds are important sources of food and shelter for insects.
Reuters October 16, 2003