In the weeds: Understanding the impact of GE crops on pesticide use

This report explores the complexity of the much-discussed but little-understood question of the impact of genetically engineered (GE) crops on farmers’ use of pesticides. It provides background on what defines a pesticide and why they are used, examines trends in pesticide use and adoption of GE crops over time, and poses specific questions regarding trends in pesticide use, such as:

• Which GE crops might have an impact on which pesticides?
• How has the adoption of insect-resistant crops impacted the use of insecticides?
• How has the adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops impacted the use of herbicides?