Alert over organic pesticide

28 May 1999

Alert over organic pesticide

AN organic pesticide used for more than 30 years may be a health hazard, according to French scientists.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is produced by a number of companies, including Abbott Laboratories.

Dried spores of Bt are one of the few insecticides sanctioned for use on organic crops in Europe. It is used by organic farmers to combat pests such as the spruce bedworm, a caterpillar attacking trees.

• The Daily Telegraph 28/05/99 page 4