Ridgetown, Ontario
June 5, 2003

From Ridgetown College, University of Guelph via Agnet

A new industry-driven web site provides vital information on efforts in Canada to protect the long-term
effectiveness of new and emerging corn pest management technologies. These technologies, such as the in-plant incorporation of Bt genes, offer innovative and effective control of a variety of economically significant insect pests, including European corn borer and corn rootworm.

Developed by the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition (CCPC), the web site at www.cornpest.ca provides extensive background information on the CCPC and its comprehensive Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategy. The new site is currently available in English, with the French-language equivalent under development.

"The Canadian corn industry is united in its drive to protect these technologies through proactive stewardship practices designed to maintain their usefulness to corn producers," says Dr. Art Schaafsma, chair of the CCPC and a professor at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown campus.

"Without the unprecedented co-operation of competitors in the private sector along with their colleagues within government and universities, these new technologies might never be registered for commercial production within Canada. CCPC members are covering the landscape on these important issues. And that means all stakeholders in the corn production chain can be confident of long-term access to technologies they need to be competitive world-wide."

Simple to navigate, the site provides helpful information on how farmers can successfully implement the requirements of the IRM strategy, including the proper establishment on non-Bt corn refuges, on their farming operation. It also outlines protocols for field monitoring along with laboratory and
remediation procedures in the event of suspected or confirmed resistance to Bt in the European corn borer population. Interested stakeholders can also find information on compliance, current news and breaking issues.

The new CCPC web site provides answers on what the Canadian corn industry is doing to ensure registration, delivery and protection of the latest corn pest management technologies. If you have questions, the site has answers. Visit www.cornpest.ca. If you don't find what you're after, the site contains a complete list of contacts available to answer your questions.

Representatives from all sectors of the corn industry founded the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition in 1997. Each member is committed to responsibly deploying and managing new pest management technologies. The current focus of the CCPC is ongoing proactive post-market stewardship of Bt corn hybrid technology for European corn borer and the development of similar strategies to address corn rootworm control.