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| Monsanto blames farmers for the emergence of 'superbugs' like the Bt-resistant corn rootworm. (photo: Ian Marsman/flickr) |
18 Febrary 12
Makers of genetically modified seeds say more farmers evading EPA rules
onsanto
Co. and other seedmakers reported a threefold increase last year in
U.S. farmers caught violating rules intended to stop insects from
developing resistance to genetically modified corn.
The rules affect farmers planting seeds modified to
produce a toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, a natural
insecticide. The Environmental Protection Agency requires those growers
to also plant an adjacent area - a so-called refuge - of non-Bt corn so
that bugs feed on both types of corn and don't become immune to the
toxin.
About 41 percent of 3,053 farmers inspected in 2011
failed to fully comply with the refuge requirement, according to data
that Monsanto provided last week in an e-mail. READ MORE
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