‘Mounting Evidence’ of Bug-Resistant Corn Seen by EPA
Theres mounting evidence that Monsanto Co. (MON) corn thats genetically modified to control insects is losing its effectiveness in the Midwest, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
The EPA commented in response to questions about a scientific study last month that found western corn rootworms on two Illinois farms had developed resistance to insecticide produced by Monsantos corn. Rootworms affect corns ability to draw water and nutrients from the soil and were responsible for about $1 billion a year in damages and pesticide bills until seeds with built-in insecticide were developed a decade ago.
The agencys latest statement on rootworm resistance comes a year after the problem was first documented and just as U.S. corn yields are forecast to be the lowest in 17 years amid drought in the Corn Belt. Corn is St. Louis-based Monsantos biggest business line, accounting for $4.81 billion of sales, or 41 percent of total revenue, in its 2011 fiscal year.
There is mounting evidence raising concerns that insect resistance is developing in parts of the corn belt, the EPA said Aug. 31 in an e-mail.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-04/-mounting-evidence-of-bug-resistant-corn-seen-by-epa.html
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)The bugs, however, are developing resistance to BT toxin which has been engineered into the corn.
"GE Corn-resistant Bug" would be the correct phrasing.