Greenhouse Gas Emissions Labeling for Produce: The Case of Biotech and Conventional Sweet Corn

Abstract

Agriculture’s significant global contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has spurred consumer and retailer mitigation interest. Biotechnology, designed to enhance the marketable portion of yield via improved disease, weed and pest management with the same or lower use of inputs, is thus well positioned to gain from producer and consumer concerns about GHG emissions. Compared to conventional sweet corn, identical lines embedded with insect control showed statistically significant higher marketable yield and no effect to lesser insecticide application. Pending seed cost and consumer acceptance of biotechnology, this should enhance returns for producers and allow marketing of multifold, consistent declines in GHG per ear.