ARKION LIFE SCIENCES RECEIVES USEPA APPROVAL TO MARKET AVIPELŪ CORN SEED TREATMENT IN MINNESOTA FOR THE 2009 PLANTING SEASON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ken Ballinger
NEW CASTLE, DE - Dec. 15, 2008 -- Arkion Life Sciences LLC has been notified that the Section 18 Application filed by the State of Minnesota has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency effective December 5, 2008 through July 30, 2009. Arkion®'s proprietary bird repellent Avipel®, formerly known as Avitec, will protect field corn and sweet corn seed against foraging cranes.
According to Ken Ballinger, Arkion Life Sciences has been a pioneer in the development and commercialization of several formulations of bird repellent and bird management technologies. Arkion®'s patented formulations of anthraquinone have been effectively repelling geese with FlightControl® Plus and repelling birds from structures through the Airepel Humane Bird Management business.
This is the fourth year Minnesota has been approved for this Section 18 and allows Minnesota farmers to treat up to 625,000 acres of corn seed during the season. Avipel® Corn Seed Treatment is non-lethal to birds but highly effective in repelling them. Various organizations have supported Arkion®'s development of bird repellents including The International Crane Foundation (ICF), The United States Humane Society and the Audubon Society. ICF spearheaded the cause to find a solution to the growing conflict between farmers and the cranes eating their planted seed. "We have been working since 2000 to find a way to support the growing crane population and, at the same time, save our farmer's crops and Avipel® is the solution" said Jeb Barzen, ICF spokesperson in Baraboo, WI.
Arkion® has three major businesses - Biotechnical Resources (Manitowoc, WI) develops and improves processes and products based on fermentation technology for contract customers as well as internal needs; Hyperimmune eggs with markets in human and animal nutrition; and, Bird Repellent applications for crop, structure and turf protection.