USDA to purchase StarLink-contaminated seed
Less than 1 percent of American corn seed supplies are contaminated with StarLink, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. USDA said it will purchase all corn seed lots that contain StarLink, a genetically modified corn variety that has not been approved for human consumption and has been removed from the market. USDA estimated that the program will cost the government $15-$20 million and will not affect the supply of seed corn.
StarLink had been approved only for animal consumption because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it could not rule out the possibility that it would cause allergic reactions in humans. EPA also announced Wednesday that it will no longer approve biotechnology products solely for animal consumption. ...