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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan 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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau In Defense of Bt Corn 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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Consequences of a moratorium 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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan 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 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 Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan 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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Insect resistance management EPA and Corporate seed agreements 100 ft. buffer zone (Lincoln) 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 (EPA) Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Figure 1. This figure reflects the importance of early refuge management (ILSI) Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan 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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Figure 2. 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 (Fernandez-Cornejo). Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Economic Benefits Keeps market flooded and commodity prices low Roundup Ready -$30 per acre Roundup -$52 per acre conventional - Tremendous benefits during Borer years Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan Figure 3 Monsanto Seed Company Research indicates sometimes substantial yield benefits, up to $13.54 per acre (Monsanto). New York Farm Bureau Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan

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

Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan New York Farm Bureau Biotechnology is vital to the future success of agriculture. Jaime Pullman – Brian Lenihan