ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING FOR PESTICIDES TO BEGIN IN 2008 --- EPA is asking its FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel to review a controversial tier I assay, after disbanding an advisory panel that included many stakeholders who viewed it as unsuitable for screening purposes. In an exclusive interview, an EPA scientist explains what's going on at the Agency and the remaining work required to begin screening pesticide ingredients in 2008.

SUGAR BEETS POISED TO BECOME FIRST WIDELY GROWN GMO SPECIALTY CROP -- Growers say they need Roundup Ready sugar beets, and are willing to risk possible GMO controversies. Otherwise, pest resistance to traditional pesticides means hand-weeding in the face of labor shortages and the increasing hassles of playing cat-and-mouse games with immigration authorities.

AN INSIDER LOOK AT THE SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY -- Next year, all North American sugar producers will operate for the first time in a combined marketplace. To survive, U.S. sugar beet producers will need to compete on cost with counterparts in Mexico and Canada -- especially Mexico. Roundup Ready sugar beets will be a key component of that strategy.

DESPITE NEW FEDERAL RULE, WASHINGTON STATE ISSUES CWA PERMITS FOR AQUATIC PESTICIDE USE -- A new EPA rule says the permits are not necessary, but the state of Washington is playing it safe and continuing to issue permits due to ongoing legal challenges. Although CWA regulations generally require EPA to review changes to any state-issued permit, it's not clear if EPA will cooperate in light of its new stance.

EPA GUIDANCE SEEKS STATE DATA ON PESTICIDE WATER QUALITY IMPACTS --- As part of its new registration review program, EPA wants to see data from the states on pesticide impacts to water quality.

DESPITE BT EFFICACY CONCERNS, AERIAL USE OF DIMILIN AGAINST N.J. GYPSY MOTHS IS DENIED --- New Jersey's ag officials say they're facing an emergency, with 125,000 defoliated acres from gypsy moths and the inability of Bt to suppress caterpillar populations in areas with the heaviest infestations. The state's environmental department disagrees, however, and has denied a request to use the chitin inhibitor dimilin to protect the state's forests.

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