- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An
executive with Monsanto Co (MON.N), a leading developer of biotech foods,
has been nominated for the second-ranking job at the Environmental
Protection
Agency, the White House said on Tuesday.
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- Linda Fisher, who worked for the EPA for 10 years before
heading Monsanto's Washington lobbying office, was nominated for the post
of deputy administrator. Fisher also served on a U.S. Agriculture
Department
advisory committee on biotech foods.
-
- One of the major issues currently before the EPA is
a request from Aventis SA (AVEP.PA) to approve a genetically- modified
corn known as StarLink for human consumption. StarLink, a variety altered
to repel pests, was barred from human food in 1998 due to concerns that
it might trigger allergic reactions in some people.
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- The discovery of StarLink contamination in taco shells
last autumn prompted a massive recall of more than 300 kinds of snack
chips, corn flour and other foods. Aventis contends the corn is safe and
poses no risk to people who eat it.
-
- The EPA, which regulates plants altered to produce their
own pesticides, is also considering whether to renew the registration
of Bt corn, cotton and potato varieties that were approved six years ago.
The registrations are set to expire in September.
-
- The White House also nominated two others for key posts
at the EPA.
-
- Stephen Johnson, who is currently acting assistant
administrator,
was nominated to be assistant administrator for pesticides.
-
- Jeffrey Holmstead, a White House adviser during the
first Bush presidency, was nominated to be assistant administrator for
air and radiation.
-
- In addition to the EPA, the Bush administration
nominated
James Connaughton to head the Council of Environmental Quality.
Connaughton,
an environmental lawyer, has been a lead negotiator during the past seven
years on a U.S. advisory group to the International Standards Organization
on environmental standards.
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- The U.S. Senate must confirm all presidential
nominees.
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