1998
From: Union of Concerned Scientists
New Report Sets Standard To Protect Natural Pest Control With farmers planning for the 1998 planting season and an important science advisory panel on genetically engineered crops due to convene in two weeks, experts are voicing concern about the adequacy of the Environmental Protection Agency's current plans to forestall insect resistance to the natural toxin Bt. To protect this natural pest control, six prominent scientists have developed new strategies that EPA should use as a standard and adopt for this year's growing season.To be released on February 3, Now or Never: Serious New Plans to Save a Natural Pest Control evaluates the current EPA management plans and details what is needed to delay the development of insect resistance in the millions of acres already devoted to Bt corn, cotton, and potatoes. The Union of Concerned Scientists report will be submitted to both the EPA and the EPA Scientific Advisory Panel subpanel. The subpanel will meet February 9-10 in Arlington, VA, to discuss resistance management plans for crops genetically engineered to contain Bt. Dr. Fred Gould, Professor of Entomology at North Carolina State University and one of the report's authors; Dr. Margaret Mellon, Director of UCS's Agriculture and Biotechnology Program; and Dr. Jane Rissler, Senior Staff Scientist at UCS, will speak at the press breakfast about the report, the value of Bt, and the threat to organic farmers and biotechnology companies if Bt is lost. WHAT: Press breakfast and release of Now or Never: Serious New Plans to Save a Natural Pest Control WHERE: Old Ebbitt Grill (downstairs in Cabinet room) 675 15th St., NW, Washington, DC WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 9:00 AM
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