Tab A - Page 50 
If, however, the modified bacteria were to escape the monitoring network 
and were to become established In neighboring fields. It Is conceivable that 
the modified bacteria, together with INA" bacteria of the same or different 
species could alter whatever balance may exist In the particular field between 
INA* and INA~ bacteria. The scientific literature, however, does not indicate 
that there Is any stable balance in the environment or in a field between INA* 
and INA" bacteria. Large seasonal fluctuations and widely varying proportions 
of INA* and INA" bacteria in a given field appear to be characteristic in 
nature, as bacterial populations change in response to environmental variables 
such as temperature and humidity. Among _P . s_. syrlnqae , the INA* phenotype may 
be dominant in one field at a given time, while the INA" phenotype is dominant 
in other fields in the vicinity, and the pattern may change over time with no 
perceptible environmental consequences, other than greater frost injury in INA* 
fields. Existing agricultural practices add a further variable that 
drastically affects natural bacterial populations without any known adverse 
environmental consequences. 
Even If there were some fixed I NA*/ INA" balance in nature that had some 
environmental significance, it is unlikely that the slight alteration of that 
balance that could conceivably result if modified bacteria from this field test 
become established in adjacent fields would have any environmental 
consequences. The numbers to be applied are many orders of magnitude lower 
than the number of natural ly-occurrlng bacteria, both INA* and INA", against 
which they would have to compete for space and nutrients for survival, growth 
and reproduction. Nothing in this proposed field test will enhance the 
reproductive potential or competitive fitness of the modified INA" bacteria. 
In all respects. It will be Identical to its wild counterparts , except that It 
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