EPA Pesticide Fact Sheet: 'Bacillus Thuringiensis' Cry3Bbl Protein and Genetic Material Necessary for its Production (Vector ZMIR13L) in Event MON863 Corn

摘要

EPA has conditionally registered the Monsanto Company's new active ingredient, Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Bb1 protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector ZMIR13L) in Event MON863 corn. The Agency had determined that the use of this pesticide is in the public interest and that it will not cause any unreasonable adverse effects on the environment during the time of conditional registration. At 80 million planted acres, corn is the largest crop grown in the U.S. and accounts for 20% of total agriculture cropland. Over the past 5 years, conventional insecticides have been applied to between 14 to 18 million acres of corn to control CRW. This single corn pest accounts for 1 out of every 7 insecticide applications to agricultural crops. Infested acreage is increasing due to extended diapause and behavior modification as CRW lays it's eggs in soybean fields which are planted in rotational corn. The acres infested with CRW is expected to grow 2.6% per year and, by 2013, to total 39 million acres.