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NCGA Working Towards IRM Compliance
(7-27-01)
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) recently conducted a meeting to reassess the
risks and benefits of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn. EPA is assessing
the adequacy of Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plans as part of
total Bt corn re-registration. According to EPA officials, current producers
of Bt corn are not sufficiently meeting IRM compliance levels.
National Corn Growers
Association's (NCGA) state representative to the Biotech Working Group
Jere White, Kansas Corn Growers Association executive director, attended
the hearings held in Washington, D.C. this week and said while there
is room for improvement on the issue of compliance, the EPA doesn't
consider the situation insurmountable.
"Right now,
corn growers are 72 percent compliant," said White. "The EPA
has concerns that 72 percent is inadequate, and we are looking to improve
on that. Both the Biotech Working Group and the (NCGA) Production &
Stewardship Action Team are currently examining options to increase
grower compliance."
There are three
key components to IRM: 1) non-Bt refuge size, 2) placement and distance
of the refuge, and 3) growers acknowledgement of IRM requirements through
signed grower agreements.
With each of these
components, NCGA sees education, and stronger industry involvement as
the answer.
White said the EPA
has several options in this issue, but hopes they will be realistic.
"They can change the regulations to increase of the size of the
refuge," he said, "but I hope they are not considering not
registering the product. If they're basing their facts on 100 percent
compliance, than that is an issue that needs to be addressed."
All in all, said
White, the situation should not be viewed negatively. "The EPA
gave us some very good, factual information," he said, "and
seemed to indicate that they were supportive of the technology. However,
they did have some questions and that's what we're working on now."
"Right now,
the NCGA is stepping forward. We are sorting through various options,
and plan to present recommendations to EPA that will effectively benefit
corn growers.
For more information on biotech and IRM, visit the NCGA website at http://www.ncga.com/biotechnology/insectMgmtPlan/importance_bt.htm
Last
reviewed July 27, 2001
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