Corn Growers Successfully Adhering to Stewardship Standards

On-Farm Assessments, Phone Surveys Show Steady Compliance With Insect Resistance Management Requirements


ST. LOUIS, April 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced today that for the third straight year an average of nine out of 10 growers are aware of and effectively complying with the Insect Resistance Management (IRM) requirements as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The findings are based on 2006 on-farm assessments as well as a series of independent surveys conducted on behalf of the Agriculture Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC). The ABSTC surveys and the on-farm assessment program were expanded for the first time in 2006 to include corn rootworm-protected Bt corn and stacked Bt corn products, in addition to corn borer-protected Bt corn.

"The results provide further evidence that the vast majority of growers are adhering to the IRM requirements for all technologies and continue to do so, year after year," said Martin Barbre, chairman of the NCGA Biotechnology Working Group. "We're pleased to see the level of attention being paid to the IRM implementation, which helps ensure growers have access to this valuable technology in the future."

The ABSTC, which consists of Bt corn registrants, has monitored adherence to the IRM requirements since 1999 to help ensure Bt corn technology remains effective against pests and is readily available to all growers. This monitoring effort was expanded in 2002 to include on-farm assessments as part of the Compliance Assurance Program (CAP), which is designed to promote IRM awareness and assess implementation at the farm level.

"The program has proven to be a successful mechanism in bringing noncompliant growers back into compliance, while restricting access to Bt technology to those who repeatedly do not follow the requirements," said Barbre. "This was the first year a handful of growers were found to be out of compliance with IRM requirements for two consecutive years. As a result, they have lost access to Bt traits for 2007 planting."

Continued Compliance with Refuge Management Standards

The 2006 telephone survey and the on-farm assessment program show the vast majority of growers were good stewards of the land and adhered to the refuge size and distance requirements for each Bt corn product planted.

The 2006 corn borer-protected Bt corn results were virtually unchanged from 2005, and the corn rootworm-protected and stacked Bt corn results were similar to those from the early years of the corn borer-protected Bt corn adoption. Both large and small acreage growers are meeting refuge requirements at similar levels.

Bt growers should review company product use guidelines for a complete list of IRM requirements before planting.

Industry Commitment to Grower Awareness, Education

Growers have voiced their commitment to manage Bt corn technology. More than 90 percent of those surveyed in 2006 for all technologies said they were aware of the requirements for managing insect resistance and support them as an important part of preserving Bt technology for the future. This was encouraging as this was the first year ABSTC gauged grower IRM education awareness for the recently introduced corn rootworm and stacked Bt corn traits.

Growers also indicated the NCGA, seed companies and dealers are by far their most important sources of IRM information. Growers said they received multiple sources of IRM information and had enough information at the time of planting to establish and manage a Bt corn refuge.

"Our online Insect Resistance Management Learning Center, agriculture publications and printed materials, as well as the seed companies involved, have helped inform producers about the importance of IRM practices -- and encourage them to adopt these practices in the field," said Barbre. "As we enter the next planting season, we encourage all growers to focus on complying with IRM requirements so we can continue to maintain the integrity of this valuable technology."

Growers are encouraged to visit www.ncga.com/biotechnology/insectMgmtPlan, or contact their seed provider for more information to aid in managing Bt corn and refuge areas.

Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee includes Bt corn registrants Dow AgroSciences; Monsanto; Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont; and Syngenta Seeds, Inc. The committee is working with the EPA to enforce IRM compliance. The NCGA and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), along with various seed companies and universities, all support the committee's IRM compliance efforts. For additional information on biotechnology, visit www.ncga.com.

The National Corn Growers Association's mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members and 46 affiliated state organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs. For more information on NCGA, log on to www.ncga.com.



            

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