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USDA Asked to Fund Genetically Engineered Crop Initiative

Posted on: Tuesday, 31 January 2006, 15:07 CST

LAKE RIDGE, Va., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists and other stakeholders have joined forces to promote a major research thrust in the controversial arena of genetically modified fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops.

An ad hoc group of biotech, regulatory and crop protection specialists -- called the Specialty Crop Regulatory Initiative -- has asked USDA to provide $250,000 in funding for a scoping project on developing genetically modified specialty crops.

Given the longstanding opposition to biotech foods, it's a safe bet that government development of genetically engineered fruits and vegetables would unleash major protests.

Subscribers to PESTICIDE.NET Insider eJournal can read the full story at http://www.pesticide.net/insider.

Other articles in the January 31, 2006, issue of PESTICIDE.NET Insider eJournal include:

EPA Responds To Lawsuit By Agreeing To Re-evaluate Organophosphate Risks

The suit alleges that EPA violated FIFRA safety standards by allowing workers to suffer unacceptably high exposures to phosmet and azinphos methyl. EPA now must meet a number of re-evaluation milestones to decide if its previous risk management decisions were justified, or if tougher restrictions or cancellations are necessary.

California Criticizes EPA's Enforcement Response To Biofilm Products

California is pursuing enforcement against unregistered products that control biofilm in dental waterlines, while criticizing EPA for lifting a stop-sale order against one such product. Includes an exclusive interview with Dennis Edwards, an EPA official who explains the Agency's position on biofilm products.

White House Issues Proposal On Multi-Substance Risk Assessments

A draft Bulletin from the Office of Management and Budget seeks to implement the goals of the Data Quality Act for risk assessments involving multiple substances. However, its potential applicability to pesticides is uncertain.

Court Shoots Down Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Eradication Program

The program is intended to keep the glassy-winged sharpshooter from destroying the lucrative vineyards of northern California. But a state appeals court has unanimously ordering the Agriculture Department to return to the drawing board after finding that the associated environmental impact report is "infected with errors." Includes a profile of Patty Clary, Executive Director of Californians for Alternatives to Toxics.

Published bi-weekly, Insider eJournal provides the inside story on issues important to pesticide registrants, regulators and policy activists. PESTICIDE.NET (http://www.pesticide.net/) is the world's leading website for news and regulatory information on conventional, biological and antimicrobial pesticides, with over 10,000 documents and a quarter million visits per month.

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

PESTICIDE.NET

CONTACT: Susan Casoni, +1-703-492-4328, or casoni@pesticide.net

Web site: http://www.pesticide.net/

Source: PRNewswire

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