EPA proposes new requirements for Bt corn
New framework could change the way farmers use Bt corn. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on proposed framework intended to delay the corn rootworm pest from becoming resistant to corn genetically engineered to produce Bt pesticides. The EPA is concerned with corn rootworm's development of resistance to Bt corn.
The proposed framework includes three requirements on the manufacturers of Bt corn including:
In areas at risk of corn rootworm resistance, require crop rotation; use of corn varieties containing more than one Bt toxin; or other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and stewardship for corn rootworm.Develop and implement a strategy to better detect and address areas of resistance as they emerge.Use different and improved scientific tests and sampling requirements to study the problem and more reliably ensure that resistance to the Bt corn toxin is identified.
The goal of the proposed framework is to slow the development of resistance in order to prolong the durability and effectiveness of these plants to control the corn rootworm pest, according to an EPA report.
Use of plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) crops is one of the safest methods of insect control. If used properly, they greatly reduce the need for conventional pesticides and the risks they may present to human health and the environment. They must be managed properly to prevent insects from developing resistance to the natural proteins being expressed, according to the EPA report.
Recent reports have documented corn rootworm resistance to two Bt traits, Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A, in the U.S. Corn Belt. To obtain expert guidance on the best way to address these concerns, the Agency convened a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) meeting in December 2013. The panel evaluated EPA’s current resistance monitoring strategy for the corn rootworm and made recommendations for improvement. These proposed enhancements are consistent with the Science Advisory Panel’s (SAP) guidance.
The EPA is seeking input from all stakeholders, including corn growers, non-governmental organizations, industry, academia, and the general public, on this proposal. Stakeholders are encouraged to offer input on specific SAP recommendations, including alternative approaches or counter proposals to address corn rootworm resistance management issues raised by the panel.
EPA’s proposed framework is available under docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0805 at regulations.gov. Comments and suggestions for alternative approaches are due by March 16, 2015.
Dow AgroSciences announces new quality standards for trait stacking
Today Dow AgroSciences announced quality standards for glyphosate trait stacking with Enlist. The company said it will allow Enlist to be stacked with advanced glyphosate traits only. The first generation Roundup Ready trait will not be allowed to be stacked with Enlist.
“We are committed to optimizing the Enlist system for growers,” says Damon Palmer, Marketing Director, U.S. Seeds, Dow AgroSciences. “We’ve done it with Enlist Duo herbicide with Colex-D Technology—a proven, superior herbicide tailored for the grower. Today’s announcement helps ensure the Enlist family of soybean traits will be stacked exclusively with other industry leading traits.”
The market continues to move to advanced glyphosate traits since they were introduced because they have been proven to outperform the original Roundup Ready trait. Technology with newer glyphosate traits, including Roundup Ready 2 Yield and Enlist E3 soybeans, show no yield drag or lag, according to a company report.
“Enlist soybeans with Roundup Ready 2 Yield and Enlist E3 soybeans—which feature an advanced glyphosate technology owned by MS Technologies—are our chosen trait platforms moving forward,” says Palmer. “Without question, these are the best trait packages coming to market. Growers should know they can farm with confidence with the Enlist system.”
