Producers React to Latest Monarch Report

September 25, 2000

The National Corn Growers Association welcomed a report last week from the Environmental Protection Agency that showed there is no apparent risk to butterflies from biotech corn. NCGA said the report "refutes claims" about the effect on the Monarch, especially.

In August, research by two Iowa State University entomologists suggested that Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn pollen might have an adverse impact on Monarch butterfly populations. However, in a report released Wednesday, the EPA said that tests performed on Bt corn, cotton and potato crops confirmed the agency's original findings that there are "no unreasonable adverse effects from these products."

"Overall, the available information indicated a very low probability of risks to Monarchs in areas beyond the near_edge of cornfields," EPA said. "The agency concludes that the published preliminary Monarch toxicity information is not sufficient to cause undue concern of widespread risks to Monarch butterflies."

Fred Yoder, NCGA corn board member from Plain City, OH, said the EPA report is good news for corn growers. "The EPA is adding credence to our assertions that Bt technology is not detrimental to butterflies and other non_target species," he said, adding NCGA's support of access to biotechnology and the stringent U.S. regulatory process.

"NCGA fully supports the science_based decision_making process currently employed by the EPA in evaluating and approving Bt technology," Yoder said. "NCGA supports continued evaluation of all agricultural production techniques, as well as the availability of biotechnology to those who choose to implement it."

EPA reaffirmed that a review of all available scientific information indicates that monarch butterflies are at very little risk from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn products, contrary to widely published reports. EPA further found that "In fact, some authors are predicting that the widespread cultivation of Bt crops may have huge benefits for monarch butterfly survival."

Titled "Bt Plant_Pesticides Biopesticides Registration Action Document," the effort represents a preliminary draft risk assessment to evaluate the health, safety and environmental risks, as well as benefits of Bt corn, cotton and potato plants. Considered a comprehensive scientific assessment, it is available for public comment and scientific review, which will be considered Oct.18_20 by a peer review with the EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel on the scientific issues in connection with this assessment.

According to the EPA, after incorporating peer review and public comments, the agency will use this information to reach decisions regarding renewal of registrations for several Bt products and development of any necessary mitigation measures, if needed.

"This rigorous review of the vast array of scientific information about foods and crops improved through biotechnology refutes once again the claims of anti_biotechnology critics," said Dr. Val Giddings, vice president for food and agriculture of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). "The assessment confirms the findings of EPA and numerous other regulatory agencies and scientific bodies around the world that crops and food produced through biotechnology pose no adverse health or environmental problems," he added.

The report notes that "significant benefits accrue to growers, the public, and the environment from the availability and use of certain Bt plant_pesticides," adding that direct benefits to growers in 1999 likely exceeded $100 million.

BIO represents more than 900 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and more than 27 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health care, agricultural industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

To review the report in its entirety go to: www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/ and scroll to the following: October 18_20, 2000: Issues pertaining to the Bt plant pesticides Risk and Benefit Assessments.