U.S. EPA Approves VipCot Cotton for Natural Refuge

Syngenta Seeds' newly approved VipCot™ cotton technology has been given a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's approval (EPA) to use a natural refuge option. This GM cotton contains the COT67B event that produces the Cry1Ab protein and the COT102 containing the Vip3A (vegetative insecticidal protein). The Vip3A has proven to give a broad spectrum control of lepidopteran pests including cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm and the entire army worm complex in several field trials conducted. It has been made as the platform for innovations in refuge for both corn and cotton with the EPA approving a 20% nationwide refuge, a reduction from the 50% traditionally required.

"In granting a natural refuge option, the EPA has affirmed the value of this technology in helping prevent the development of resistant insects, as well as offering growers an opportunity to protect all of their cotton acres from most caterpillar pests." said Ryan Kurtz, insect resistance management specialist with Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc.

For details, see the news at http://farmfutures.com/story.aspx/epa/approves/vipcot/cotton/for/natural/refuge/13/38725