In a Dec. 28 letter to seed corn
companies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers, and
Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has recommended that all seed corn to be sold
for the 2001 planting season and parent lines to be used in 2001 seed production
be tested for the presence of Cry9C protein (StarLink). This recommendation was
prompted by the detection of Cry9C protein in non-StarLink corn
hybrid seed, the letter states.
The USDA advises that any seed corn that tests positive for the Cry9C protein
should not be sold for planting purposes and redirected for feed or non-food
industrial uses. USDA also calls for providing customers, upon request, with
verification that the seed corn being sold was tested for the Cry9C protein in
accordance with a testing program equal to or exceeding the performance of the
attached GIPSA sampling and testing
recommendations.
USDA's recommended sample size is 2,400 seeds, using GIPSA-validated tests
manufactured by Strategic Diagnostics and EnviroLogix Inc. These tests detect
one in 400 corn kernels (0.25%) and one in 500 kernels (0.2%), respectively,
therefore, six tests of 400 kernels each or five tests of 500 kernels each will
be needed to meet the recommended sample size of 2,400. The sample size is
consistent with the Food and Drug Administration's recommendation for sampling
and testing yellow corn and milled yellow corn, which was issued on Dec. 28.
Other testing methods are commercially available providing a wide range of
detection capability. However, caution must be taken to ensure that the sample
size analyzed is consistent with the detection capability of the methodology
used. GIPSA offers StarLink testing services and guidelines for seed company
testing procedures. These guidelines may be obtained from GIPSA at 202-720-0252
or online at http://www.usda.gov/gipsa.
In addition, some of you should have received correspondence from Aventis about
two weeks ago, offering assistance in testing for the Cry9C protein. Some ASTA
members have reported that Aventis has furnished them with strip tests at no
charge (normally about $390 per 100 strips.). To inquire about the strip tests,
you may contact Aventis at 1-888-AVENTIS.
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