St. Louis, Missouri
July 20, 2009
The
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency will allow farmers the ability
to improve upon the environmental benefits from biotechnology
corn. The EPA has announced a reduced refuge requirement for
SmartStax™, an insect-protection and weed control platform in
corn, to 5 percent in the northern Corn Belt and 20 percent in
Southern states where cotton is planted. In 1999, the EPA
enacted refuge requirements to help prevent corn insect pests,
such as the European corn borer, from developing resistance to
Bt technology.
Agriculture biotechnology has substantial environmental
benefits, because biotech crops require fewer pesticide
applications. Biotechnology has allowed for the displacement of
630 million pounds of active ingredients that would have
otherwise been used in herbicides and insecticides between 1996
and 2006.
“We believe biotechnology must have regulatory oversight based
on sound science,” said Rob Korff, NCGA Biotech Working Group
chairman. “We have confidence in EPA’s ability to make sound,
science-based decisions as the final arbiter on this matter.”
NCGA remains strongly committed to continuing grower education
regarding compliance with refuge requirements, Korff added. NCGA
launched the industry’s first Insect Resistance Management
online education center for growers, the Insect Resistance
Management Learning Center. The learning tool was developed in
partnership with the Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship
Committee and provides a comprehensive overview on the
principles of Insect Resistance Management.
Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
represents approximately 35,000 dues-paying corn growers and the
interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through
corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48
affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work
together to help protect and advance corn growers’ interests. |
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