Green groups threaten to sue EPA over biotech corn
October 18, 2000 5:01pm
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A coalition of environmental groups threatened
Wednesday to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to
protect endangered species of butterflies from genetically modified
crops. The groups, which include Greenpeace and the Sierra Club,
accused EPA of failing to fully assess the impact of gene-altered
corn and cotton varieties on threatened and endangered species before
approving their use. An Iowa State University research study
concluded Monarch butterfly caterpillars were seven times more likely
to die when they ate milkweed plants that carry pollen from so-called
Bt corn, compared to conventional corn varieties.
Bt corn contains the bacillus thuringiensis bacterium, which occurs
naturally in soil and acts as a pesticide. ``EPA has had its head in
the sand since it learned that genetically engineered corn could be
killing monarch butterflies,'' said Charles Margulis, a genetic
engineering specialist for Greenpeace, a leading environmental group.
At least 20 endangered or threatened butterflies could be at risk
from the unexpected side-effects of genetically modified crops,
Margulis said. While Monarch butterflies are not endangered, a
species known as Karner's Blue butterflies are, he said.
The group contends EPA refused a July 1999 request by a Northern
Arizona University researcher that it ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service whether Monarch and Karner's Blue butterflies could be put in
jeopardy by Bt corn. The Fish and Wildlife Service oversees the
Endangered Species Act. Stephen Johnson, EPA deputy assistant
administrator for pesticides, said the agency takes its
responsibility to protect endangered species ``very seriously.'' The
agency consults with the Fish and Wildlife Service if it finds any
evidence a genetically modified crop could cause a problem for an
endangered or threatened species, he said.
``We feel that we're certainly fulfilling our obligation under the
Endangered Species Act,'' Johnson said. In addition, a recent EPA
review of the scientific literature found very little, if any, risk
to Monarch butterflies from Bt corn, he said. EPA began a three-day
public hearing on Wednesday on its process for approving genetically
modified crops. The agency is considering whether to re-register six
corn varieties and one cotton variety that have been genetically
altered to increase resistance to the European corn borer. Based on
input from the hearing and other sources, EPA hopes to propose by
late spring how the re-registration will be handled, Johnson said.
Options range from not renewing licenses for companies to sell the
varieties to renewing the licenses with additional protections for
threatened and endangered species, he said. The agency will ask for
public comment on whatever it proposes before making a final
decision, he said. ^ REUTERS@
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