Risk assessment of the biological plant protection product Turex 50 WG, with the organism Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai CG-91. Opinion of the Panel on Plant Protection Products of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis are anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria that produce parasporal crystalline protein inclusions, δ-endotoxin, which are toxic to certain invertebrates, especially larvae belonging to the insect orders Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera. Different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis have therefore a long standing history as plant protective insecticides in many countries, but have not been approved for use in Norway. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (Vitenskapskomiteen for mattrygghet, VKM) has been asked by The Norwegian Agency for Food safety to assess the health and environment related aspects related to the use of the plant protection product Turex 50 WG, containing the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai CG-91.