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EPA Pesticide Program Updates: October 2, 2001Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, October 2, 2001 IN THIS UPDATE:
Conditional Registration of Bt Cotton ReaffirmedFollowing a comprehensive and exhaustive review, the conditional registration of cotton containing a gene from a common soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been extended for 5 years, but with some limitations. As part of the continued conditional registration of Bt cotton, EPA is requiring additional measures to ensure that use of the product does not pose any unreasonable risks to human health or to the environment. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that produces a protein that is toxic to certain insects, but not to humans or other species. The genetic material from Bt was implanted into the cotton plants, which enables the plants to produce the toxin that controls some insect pests."As a condition of EPA's approval of the Bt cotton registration, we have adopted several provisions to strengthen insect resistance management, improve grower awareness and stewardship, and prevent gene flow from Bt cotton to weedy relatives," said Stephen L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "There has been extensive public input in this review process, and the outcome is a registration that safeguards important environmental concerns while providing cotton growers with a significant option to meet their pest-control needs," Johnson continued. After a thorough review process, EPA determined that there is reasonable certainty that Bt cotton will not pose unreasonable risks to human health or to the environment. In order to reduce the possibility of insects developing resistance to Bt, the amended registration requires that some acres be set aside where non-Bt cotton will be grown to serve as a "refuge." These refuge fields will support populations of insects not exposed to the Bt toxin. The insect populations in the refuges will help prevent resistance development when they cross-breed with insects in the Bt fields. Four distinct refuge designs have been developed and are available for growers to implement to limit potential development of insect resistance. One, called the "external, unsprayed refuge option" (also known as the 95:5 refuge) has a 3-year expiration date. By September 2004, EPA will review data on the value of other crops and weed plants as providing additional refuge and will consider whether or not to maintain this option. Other provisions to maximize protection of the public and environment include an EPA requirement that the company developing this product, Monsanto, will conduct monitoring of any potential impacts from its continued use. The registrant must also educate growers about the best methods of planting Bt cotton to minimize any potential development of insect resistance or gene transfer to other plants. Before reaching this decision, EPA undertook an extensive evaluation of the previous time-limited registration for this plant-incorporated protectant. The Agency consulted with an independent panel of scientific experts from the academic and medical communities, which conducted scientific peer review on key issues. Adhering to a process that emphasized up-to-date scientific data and methodologies, numerous opportunities for public involvement, and balanced decision making, EPA maintained a transparent review process to ensure that the decision was based on sound science. EPA remains committed to ensuring that use of Bt cotton does not lead to unreasonable adverse effects to human health or to the environment. The Agency will continue to collect data and monitor any potential environmental or health effects of this product. Further, to ensure compliance with the Agency's registration guidelines for Bt cotton, an independent, third-party compliance survey will be conducted annually for the duration of this registration. Detailed information on EPA's decision will be available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/. Latest Update of Pesticide Data Submitters List Now AvailableEPA is announcing the availability of the October 1, 2001, edition of the Pesticide Data Submitters List on the OPP Web site. The Pesticide Data Submitters List is a compilation of names and addresses of registrants who wish to be notified and offered compensation for use of their data. It was developed to assist pesticide applicants in fulfilling their obligation as required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and 40 CFR Part 152, subpart E, regarding ownership of data used to support registration.All pesticides sold or distributed in the United States must be registered by EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used without posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. When applying for registration of a pesticide product, a registrant may develop and submit the required data, cite all previously submitted data, or cite selected data. When an applicant cites data previously submitted by another pesticide registrant, the applicant must make a valid offer to pay compensation to the owner of that data. The Data Submitters List contains the names and addresses of companies who submitted data relating to certain pesticide chemicals who wish to receive such offers. The Pesticide Data Submitters list is updated semi-annually at the end of September and the end of March each year, and may be accessed on the Internet. For additional information, contact John Jamula at 703-305-6426; e-mail: Jamula.John@epa.gov. New Web Sites on EPa Partnerships to Advance Pesticide Risk Reduction and IPMThe Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has posted two new Web sites to inform our stakeholders and the public of how EPA and our partners are promoting safer pesticide use and the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).The Web sites also instruct pesticide users and organizations with an interest in safer pesticide use on how they can partner with EPA and/or adopt IPM practices. The first site, Partnerships for Reducing Pesticide Risk, highlights the achievements of some of our partnership programs, such as the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), and contains links to partner Web sites and other valuable sources of information. The second site, Integrated Pest Management, explains EPA's approach to IPM for both those who are experienced with IPM and those who are not familiar with IPM but want to learn more about safer forms of pest control. It contains links to other sources of information, such as how to practice IPM for specific agricultural uses, in schools, or even around the home. To access these new Web sites, please go to http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/partnerships/ and http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/ipm/. If you have any questions related to these Web sites, please contact Michael Glikes, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Divsion (BPPD), at (703) 305-6231; glikes.michael@epa.gov. Note: For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu, or by visiting their Web site. For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit OPPs home page. Or call or write OPP directly at: Communication Services Branch |
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 Western Integrated Pest Management Center Pest Management Centers are sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service |
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