US EPA Proposes to Phase Out Almost All Bt Corn and Cotton Due to Insect Resistance

THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues

US EPA Proposes to Phase Out Almost All Bt Corn and Cotton Due to Insect Resistance

In an effort to stave off above-ground insect resistance, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed phasing out many current Bt corn hybrids, as well as some Bt cotton varieties, in the next three to five years. According to analysis by DTN, a specialist agriculture service, essentially all Bt corn hybrids and cotton varieties that do not include Syngenta’s Vip3A protein, the lone Bt trait on the market without documented insect resistance, have been proposed for a national phase-out in the US.

The phase-out plan, found in EPA’s recent publication “EPA Draft Proposal to Address Resistance Risks to Lepidopteran Pests of Bt” is only a proposal. The draft proposal, which contains measures designed to delay lepidopteran development of resistance to Bt corn and cotton plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs), has been developed in response to multiple reports of Bt resistance among some pests. This move essentially confirms that current insect resistance management approaches are inadequate.

The EPA has sought public comment from all stakeholders, including farmers, on its proposal. The comment period ended on 9 November 2020.

 

With best wishes,

Third World Network
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Email: twn@twnetwork.org
Websites: http://www.twn.my/and http://www.biosafety-info.net/
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Bt ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Emily Unglesbee
DTN Progressive Farmer, 29 Sept 2020
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2020/09/29/epa-proposes-phasing-dozens-bt-corn

* EPA proposes phasing out dozens of Bt corn and cotton products

In an effort to stave off above-ground insect resistance, the EPA is proposing phasing out many current Bt corn hybrids, as well as some Bt cotton varieties, in the next three-to-five years.

Essentially, all Bt corn hybrids and cotton varieties that don’t include Syngenta’s Vip3A protein, the lone Bt trait on the market without documented insect resistance, are being considered for a national phase-out.

The proposal suggests removing many common and popular Bt-traited corn products, as well as one new rootworm trait package with a unique RNAi mode of action – SmartStax PRO – that hasn’t yet been commercialized.

The phase-out plan, found in EPA’s recent publication, “EPA Draft Proposal to Address Resistance Risks to Lepidopteran Pests of Bt,” is only a proposal for now. EPA is seeking public comment from all stakeholders, including farmers, through Nov. 9, 2020. You can comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0682

Here is a comprehensive list, based on DTN’s analysis of the EPA proposal, of every corn hybrid and cotton variety up for phase-out over the next three-to-five years, organized by their original registrant.

THREE-YEAR CORN PHASE-OUT

PIONEER & DOW AGROSCIENCES (Now under Corteva)

Herculex I; Herculex I Insect Protection
EPA Reg. No.: 68467-2; 29964-3
Bt trait: Cry1F

Herculex XTRA Insect Protection
EPA Reg. No.: 29964-5; 29964-17; 68467-6
Bt Traits: Cry1F + Cry34/35Ab1

PIONEER (Now under Corteva)

Optimum AcreMax l
EPA Reg. No.. 29964-6
Bt Traits: Cry1F + Cry34/35Ab1 seed blend

Optimum TRIsect
EPA Reg. No.: 29964-13
Bt Traits: Cry1F + mCry3A

SYNGENTA

Agrisure CB/LL; Agrisure GT/CB/LL; Agrisure 3010; Agrisure Artesian 3010A
EPA Reg. No.: 67979-1
Bt Trait: Cry1Ab

Agrisure CB/RW; Agrisure 3000GT; Agrisure 3011A
EPA Reg. No.: 67979-8
Bt Traits: Cry1Ab + mCry3A

Attribute Insect Protected Sweet Corn
EPA Reg. No.: 65268-1
Bt Trait: Cry1Ab

MONSANTO (Now under Bayer)

YieldGard Corn Borer
EPA Reg. No.: 524-489
Bt Trait: Cry1Ab

FIVE-YEAR CORN PHASE-OUT

PIONEER (Now under Corteva)

Optimum Intrasect
EPA Reg. No.: 29964-7
Bt Traits: Cry1Ab + Cry1F

Optimum AcreMax Insect Protection
EPA Reg. No.: 29964-12
Bt Traits: Cry1F + Cry1Ab seed blend

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