www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Transgenic insect-protected corn is enabling farmers in Spain to
successfully manage against the damage from the European corn borer, which
causes annual yield losses of 5 to 15 percent, January 2007.

The corn borer feeds on all above-ground corn tissue and tunnels into the
tassel, ear, shank and stalk of the corn plant, interfering with plant
growth and causing stalks to break and ears to drop.

More than half of the corn grown in Spain is produced in regions with medium
or high annual corn borer pressure. "When the corn borer attacked strongly ?
as happened two years ago, the losses were up to 40 or 50 percent," says
Miguel Arazo, who has farmed for more than 28 years and currently grows corn
and barley on 300 acres (120 hectares).

"In a few hectares, we collected 34 metric tons of fallen corncobs by hand.
That is unacceptable. So last year, I planted 80 percent transgenic,"
comments Arazo in an exclusive video and podcast available at the
Conversations about Plant Biotechnology Web site:
www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/. "Even when there are no borer attacks you get
7 or 8 percent higher yields with transgenics. That?s an increase of many
kilos."

Lepidopteran pests such as the corn borer are a major constraint to
increased productivity, and are of economic importance in most maize-growing
countries throughout the world. Insect-protected transgenic corn produces a
protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which protects plants from
specific lepidopteron insect pests. In 2005, farmers in five European Union
countries grew modest areas of transgenic corn including the Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.

"I believe Bt corn is better for the environment," continues Arazo. "In this
region, non- Bt traditional corn has to be sprayed with insecticide two or
three times, but there is no need to spray Bt corn at all." In addition to
Arazo?s video, visitors to the Conversations about Plant Biotechnology Web
site can view conversations with two of his fellow Spanish farmers ? Pedro
Lerín and Ismael Purroy.

Conversations about Plant Biotechnology is designed to give a voice and a
face to the farmers and families who grow biotech crops and the experts who
research and study the technology. The Web site contains more than 40, two-
to three-minute, extremely candid, straightforward and compelling video
segments with the people who know the technology best. The Web site is
hosted by Monsanto Company ? a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality.

[www.prweb.com]

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