The future of the Monarch Butterfly - the Bambi of the insect world - is not under threat in New Zealand from genetic modification research nor from the natural BT pesticide used in organic farming.

A spokesman for Crop and Food Research said today that the reports of Monarch deaths in the U.S. arose from laboratory experiments using quantities of maize pollen from crops genetically modified with a BT gene.

"These types of experiments are common and are part of the rigorous testing that takes place in biotechnology science as much as all in other fields of scientific research.

"The research does indicate that in sufficient quantities, BT can kill the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies. What it does not, repeat not, do is indicate that the amount of toxin absorbed by Monarch caterpillars in the field, would be sufficient to produce deaths among the caterpillars. Neither does it relate to the probability of Monarch deaths occurring when insecticidal sprays are used instead of growing BT maize."

"Scientific reports from the United States show that the quality of the research will be subject to peer review by other scientists, that it will be studied by the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory authorities. Should there be agreement among these groups that there is a serious danger to the butterfly population action would be taken by control agencies.

"This natural pesticide, BT, is not exclusively associated with genetic technology. It is commonly used by organic farmers in New Zealand and around the world as a pest control agent.

"There do not appear to be any signs of a major decline in the Monarch population in New Zealand from the use of BT in organic farming or crop spraying. This fact alone should provide reassurance that our butterfly population has a long future."

Company news release
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