BIO Responds To Bt Lawsuit

Libby Mikesell, Director of Communications at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response to reports that a lawsuit has been filed urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke approval for Bt crops with traits that ward off destructive insects normally controlled with pesticides:

"We view with utter incredulity the recent legalistic maneuverings by environmental pressure groups to threaten the market status of insect-protected Bt corn, cotton and potato crops.

"How can anyone with real interest in environmental conservation justify an attack on innovation that dramatically reduces pesticide use, increases fertilizer efficiency, cuts fuel and labor requirements and boosts farmer yields?

"At the same time, growers and agricultural biotechnology companies have worked in coalition to develop responsible, practical insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. You can be sure, the companies that produce insect- protected crops, and the farmers who grow them, have every incentive to address these IRM concerns in order to keep these products viable."

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represents over 835 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and state biotechnology centers in 46 states and more than 26 nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health care, agricultural and industrial and environmental biotechnology products.