In a surprise announcement, the American Crop Protection Association agreed with the National Academy of Sciences committee that an array of pest-management technologies, including biotech plants and chemical pesticides, can help make agriculture more productive and profitable.
Jay Vroom, president of the ACPA, said the association welcomes all science-based research that helps growers make the best decisions to minimize or eliminate crop damage and reduce potential health and environmental risks.
"However, government policies must give growers and crop advisors maximum flexibility," says Vroom. "Successful pest-management programs must be based on local conditions, including soil type, pest pressure and species, crop varieties, and other factors unique to each farm."