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EPA approves natural refuge option for Bollgard II cotton
05 Jun '07
4 min read
Monsanto requested a natural refuge for Bollgard II cotton after collecting extensive scientific data to show that a sufficient number of cotton bollworms and tobacco budworms-key insect pests that are controlled by Bollgard II cotton-are present on non-cotton crops and other plants.
The natural presence of these pests outside of cotton, combined with the dual efficacy of Bollgard II cotton, greatly reduces the chance that these pests will develop resistance to Bollgard II cotton.
Eligible regions:
The natural refuge option applies to Bollgard II cotton planted in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding the following counties: Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler), and Virginia.
States and counties where the natural refuge option is not available are areas where pink bollworm is a significant pest. Data submitted to EPA by Monsanto supported a natural refuge option in areas where cottonbollworm and tobacco budworm are the primary worm pests for cotton.
It is important to note that the EPA previously established prohibitions on the planting of Bt cotton in the Texas Panhandle counties of Carson, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Roberts and Sherman as well as south of Highway 60 in Florida. These restrictions do not change with the approval of natural refuge for Bollgard II cotton.
Additionally, cotton producers who plant Bollgard cotton must continue to plant a structured refuge of five percent unsprayed or 20 percent sprayed non- Bt cotton as required by IRM rules and specified in their technology use agreements. Similarly, cotton producers who plant Bollgard II cotton outside of regions eligible for the natural refuge option, must also plant a non Bt cotton refuge. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the loss of access to the technology.
Cotton farmers first planted Bollgard cotton in 1996. Bollgard II cotton varieties have been on the market since 2003. Monsanto licenses both traits to cottonseed companies to use in leading cotton varieties. The cottonseed industry is in the process of transitioning cottonseed varieties to Bollgard II cotton technology. The process will be completed by the 2010 season, since the EPA registration for Bollgard cotton expires after the 2009 cotton-growing season.
The natural presence of these pests outside of cotton, combined with the dual efficacy of Bollgard II cotton, greatly reduces the chance that these pests will develop resistance to Bollgard II cotton.
Eligible regions:
The natural refuge option applies to Bollgard II cotton planted in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding the following counties: Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde, Ward, and Winkler), and Virginia.
States and counties where the natural refuge option is not available are areas where pink bollworm is a significant pest. Data submitted to EPA by Monsanto supported a natural refuge option in areas where cottonbollworm and tobacco budworm are the primary worm pests for cotton.
It is important to note that the EPA previously established prohibitions on the planting of Bt cotton in the Texas Panhandle counties of Carson, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Roberts and Sherman as well as south of Highway 60 in Florida. These restrictions do not change with the approval of natural refuge for Bollgard II cotton.
Additionally, cotton producers who plant Bollgard cotton must continue to plant a structured refuge of five percent unsprayed or 20 percent sprayed non- Bt cotton as required by IRM rules and specified in their technology use agreements. Similarly, cotton producers who plant Bollgard II cotton outside of regions eligible for the natural refuge option, must also plant a non Bt cotton refuge. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the loss of access to the technology.
Cotton farmers first planted Bollgard cotton in 1996. Bollgard II cotton varieties have been on the market since 2003. Monsanto licenses both traits to cottonseed companies to use in leading cotton varieties. The cottonseed industry is in the process of transitioning cottonseed varieties to Bollgard II cotton technology. The process will be completed by the 2010 season, since the EPA registration for Bollgard cotton expires after the 2009 cotton-growing season.
Monsanto Company
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