"-- In 1998 use of Bt insect-protected corn reduced or eliminated
the use of broad spectrum chemical insecticides on some 15 million acres of
U.S. farmland."
On May 19, 1999, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 1998
field crop chemical use survey. The data can be downloaded by anyone from
the NASS site, go to <http://www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/rptscal.htm>, to May
1999, and then to May 19 ag cemical survey.
Nationwide on corn, the following insecticides were applied. The
percent following the active ingredient is the percent of 71,400,000 corn
acres that were treated. In most cases, the target pest is known and
listed. As is well-known and obvious to anyone, including Monsanto, the
vast majority of corn insecticide use is pre- or at plant for control of
corn rootworms, cutworms, and other soil insects. These applications are
early in the year and pose very little risk to Monarchs. As anyone also
knows, there has been little change in corn insecticide use, despite the
planting of millions of acres of Bt corn in recent years.
1998 U.S. Corn Insecticide Use (NASS data)
Bifenthrin 2%, rootworms, soil insects
carbofuran 1% ditto
Chlorethoxyfos 1%, ditto
Chlorpryifos 6%, ditto
cyfluthrin 3%, ditto
dimethoate 1%, possibly European corn borer
fipronil 1%, rootworms, soil insects
fonofos 1%, ditto
lamba-cyhalothrin 2%, some for ECB, most soil insects
methyl parathion 1%, rootworms, soil insects
permethrin 2%, possibly part for ECB
tebupirimiphos 3%, rootworms, soil insects
tefluthrin 5%, ditto
terbufos 6%, ditto
It is clear from the above that at most, Bt-corn may have reduced
corn insecticide use by 1% to 2% of corn acres, or 714,000 to 1.4 million
acres (NASS surveyed 71.4 million corn acres in 1998). Monsanto's claim of
reducing or eliminating pesticide use on 15 million acres -- i.e. all acres
planted -- is not accurate.
Some people on this list have asked why Monsanto seems to be such a
lightning rod for criticism. Statements like the one above is one reason why.
Charles Benbrook 208-263-5236 (voice)
Benbrook Consulting Services 208-263-7342 (fax)
5085 Upper Pack River Road benbrook@hillnet.com [e-mail]
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 http://www.pmac.net
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