Messages sent by news aktuell GmbH, HamburgNew Study Builds Case for Biotechnology's Benefits in Agriculture WASHINGTON (ots-PRNewswire) - Biotechnology is giving many ofAmerica's crop plants the ability to protect themselves againstinsects and having major impact on crop yields, net farm incomeand insecticide use. That's according to a new report by the National Center forFood and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP) that focuses on insect-protected, or new "Bt" varieties in corn, cotton and potatoesdeveloped through biotechnology. "Agricultural Biotechnology: Insect Control Benefits," to bereleased July 13 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.,reinforces and builds on recently announced reports by the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.Conclusions emerging from these reports confirm the benefits ofbiotechnology. These include: -- New biotechnology Bt varieties in corn and cotton havecontributed to increased crop yields. -- Pesticide applications have dropped on acres planted to Btvarieties. -- Crop biotechnology gives farmers many new choices in pestmanagement to increase yields, decrease costs and raise net farmincome. "Our study takes data from a variety of sources and quantifieson a national scale the impact taking place as a result of thenew crop biotechnology," said Leonard Gianessi, NCFAP seniorresearch associate. "This study makes clear that rapid adoption of this technologyby farmers is directly tied to benefits of greater effectivenessin pest control technology and very competitive cuts in farmer'scosts," Gianessi said. Gianessi presents a detailed briefing July 13 on his report atthe following time and place: WHO: Leonard Gianessi, Senior Research Associate

National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy WHAT: "Agricultural Biotechnology: Insect Control Benefits" WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday July 13, 1999 WHERE: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W., Washington,D.C. in the First Amendment Lounge LIVE Online Access: www.bio.or (link on BIO homepage) LIVE Phone Access: Dial (800) 633-8520; ask for BiotechnologyPress

Briefing The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is anassociation representing more than 850 companies, state centersand academic institutions involved in the research anddevelopment of healthcare, industrial and agriculturalbiotechnology products. BIO provided funding to support the NCFAPstudy. The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP)is a non-profit, non-advocacy research organization based inWashington, D.C. ots Original Text Service: The BiotechnologyIndustry Organization Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.deContact: Libby Mikesell of BIO, 202-776-0615; or Leonard Gianessiof NCFAP, 202-328-5036 Web site: http://www.bio.org

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