New York Farm Bureau Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan Biotechnology & Farming: Bt Corn

New York Farm Bureau Biotechnology, specifically Bt hybrids of corn, is beneficial for farmers –Increased yields –Decreased pesticide use/cost –Less air / water / soil pollution –Cut production costs Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

New York Farm Bureau The Bt toxin as a plant pesticide in corn has no known or foreseeable human health hazards (U.S. EPA 1995). Bt corn was not found to adversely effect non-pest insects Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan In Defense of Bt Corn

New York Farm Bureau Loss of competitiveness with other states Loss of revenue for farmer Closing of domestic markets Loss of international markets Lower yields nationwide Higher prices for consumers Higher production costs for farmers Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan Consequences of a moratorium

New York Farm Bureau Impact of Bt corn on Monarch butterflies is negligible (Sears, 2001) –Between several states and Canada –Two year long study –Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan Results - Pollen count needed to kill larvae: 1000 grains/square cm - Pollen count found: 170 grains/square cm - Only dangerous strain (Bt 176), phased out by 2003

New York Farm Bureau Grain Benefits of Bt corn (Monsanto 2001) - Reduces insect damage to ears by 96% - Reduces mold in grain - Mold causes fumonisin, a toxic mycotoxin - YieldGard corn was found to reduce fumonisin by 90-93% - Prevents grain eating larvae by 70-80% Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

New York Farm Bureau Insect resistance management –EPA and Corporate seed agreements –100 ft. buffer zone –Non-Bt corn refuge is required on at least 20 percent of corn acres –Refuge provides non-resistant mates –Mating between resistant and non-resistant moths/borers dilutes resulting resistance –Prevents loss of Bt corn as an option for insect control Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

New York Farm Bureau Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan -This figure reflect the importance of early refuge management

New York Farm Bureau Environmental Benefits of Bt - Reduces need to plow - Decreases erosion of topsoil - Decreases air, soil, and water pollution - Viable alternative to harmful pesticides Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

New York Farm Bureau Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan - This figure demonstrates the decreasing trend in herbicide use due to Bt hybrids. - A small increase in glyphosate can be attributed to the introduction of a generic brand.

New York Farm Bureau Farmer Benefits: - Reduces labor costs - Reduces number of trips through fields - Reduction in fuel consumption/spillage - Increases yield per acre Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan