EPA proposes phasing out most GMO Bt crops due to insect resistance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to phase out more than 40 varieties of genetically modified Bt corn and cotton over the next three to five years.

The move is an attempt to reduce insect resistance, which is plaguing the GMO corn and cotton varieties, rendering the varieties ineffective and causing farmers to use more insecticides.

Bt corn has been hailed as a success by the biotechnology industry for the GMO corn varieties’ ability to eliminate pests such as corn rootworm. But that success is turning to failure as pests develop resistance to the GMO corn varieties.

The EPA phase out would leave just corn and cotton varieties that contain Syngenta’s Vip3A GMO protein as the only Bt trait on the market that doesn’t have documented insect resistance.

Source: Progressive Farmer

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