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Re: MVP and Organic



Hi Chuck,
Thanks a million for clearing up the MVP question in organic agriculture.
I find that the pronouncement from authorities such as the University of
Conn. extension to be  very
perplexing.:http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/general/htms/orgpest.htm
PESTICIDES FOR ORGANIC GROWERS
"The major types of B.t. are the 'kurstake' strain for caterpillar pests
(Dipel, Javelin, Thuricide, MVP, etc.) and the 'San Diego' or
'tenebrionis' strain for potato beetle larvae (M-One, M-Trak, Beetle
Beater, Novodor, etc.)."
Is there an effort in the University  community to spread disinformation
on organics with the goal of forcing acceptance of GM products?  Or are
the "authorities" in US  universities so ill informed that there
opinions are of no value? Finally,  the university that advises organic
farmers  to employ MVP  certainly is liable for damages to the farmer
when the crop is not allowed the organic label.
It would be nice if  NOP could provide the actual standards in  a form
easily accessed by organic farmers and the public.
Sincerely, Prof. Joe Cummins

Chuck Benbrook wrote:

        In light of the ongoing exchanges over MVP brand Bt insecticides,
I asked my colleague Emily Brown Rosen, who works for OMRI (Organic
Materials Review Institute) for clarification of what is approved,
what is
not.  Her response follows and is helpful.  "NOP" below refers to the
USDA's National Organic Program.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From Emily Brown Rosen, OMRI Policy Director --

MVP Bioinsecticide and MVP II Bioinsecticide have active pesticide
registrations, held by Ecogen. They are formulated using a process
known as
encapsulation, in which the bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens is
genetically
modified to produce the toxin from Bt subsp. kurstaki. The Pseudomonas
cell
is then killed by ultraviolet light. This is considered an "excluded
method" by the NOP regulation and not permitted for organic farmers.
Other
encapsulated forms include M-Trak (contains the toxin from Bt
tenebrionis,
for beetles) Mattch and Mattch II Bioinsecticide (Bt subsp. aizawai).

Here is a list of products reviewed by OMRI (Organic Materials Review
Institute) that are not genetically engineered, and all ingredients are
compliant with NOP National List.


OMRI LISTED Bt PRODUCTS:

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai strain

Agree WG (Green Line) (Certis USA)

XenTari DF (Valent BioSciences Corp)

XenTari WDG (Valent BioSciences Corp)

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki

Deliver (Green Line) (Certis USA)

Biobit HP (Lot # beginning with 94-313) (Valent BioSciences Corp)

Britz Bt Dust (Britz Fertilizers Inc)

DiPel 2X (Lot # beginning with 94-313) (Valent BioSciences Corp)

DiPel DF (Valent BioSciences Corp)

Javelin WG (Green Line) (Certis USA)

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

Gnatrol DG (Valent BioSciences Corp)

VectoBac WDG (Valent BioSciences Corp)


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

_________________________________________________________________

Charles Benbrook         Ag BioTech InfoNet
<http://www.biotech-info.net>
Benbrook Consulting Services  CU FQPA site <http://www.ecologic-ipm.com>
5085 Upper Pack River Road            IPM site <http://www.pmac.net>
Sandpoint, Idaho  83864
Voice: (208)-263-5236
Fax: (208)-263-7342
E-mail: <benbrook@hillnet.com>

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