Clears Path for Export to the Largest U.S. Soybean Customer
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE:
MON) announced today it has received regulatory approval in China for the
importation of Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans. China imports accounted
for approximately 38 percent of U.S. soybean exports in 2007, making it the
largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans. This approval is a significant step
forward in the commercialization of this highly-anticipated soybean
technology.
Roundup Ready 2 Yield is the only second-generation biotechnology trait
in soybeans to achieve regulatory approvals in the United States and key
export markets like China, propelling it to be first to market with 2009
commercial sales. It is also the first in a series of game-changing
technology platforms Monsanto is poised to launch for soybeans, corn and
cotton.
"Farmer excitement around Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans is building
and China regulatory approval demonstrates the acceptance of this product
on a global level," said Brett Begemann, Monsanto's executive vice
president of global commercial business. "Monsanto spoke with tens of
thousands of farmers at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa last week and at
numerous other field days around the Midwest this summer, and the biggest
thing we've heard is they need more yield from soybeans. We're proud we
will be able to deliver the first step-change in yield through our Roundup
Ready 2 Yield technology and that the launch of this product is right
around the corner."
Johnny Dodson, a soybean producer from Halls, Tenn. and first vice
president of the American Soybean Association applauded the news. "China's
approval of the Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean prior to the 2009 seed-buying
season is welcome news to U.S. soybean farmers," Dodson said. "Timely
overseas regulatory approvals are critical because growers have rapidly
adopted new biotech-enhanced seed varieties as they became available.
"Last year China purchased more than $4 billion worth of soybeans from
the United States, and as the standard of living continues to rise for the
Chinese, so will the demand for our soybeans. Roundup Ready 2 Yield
soybeans are one of the key technologies that are going to help U.S.
farmers meet the world's growing demand for food, feed and fuel made from
U.S. soybeans," he added.
Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are the second generation of the popular
Roundup Ready(R) technology farmers have used in soybeans since 1996. This
product offers the same effective weed control, simplicity and flexibility
benefits of the Roundup Ready system and it significantly increases soybean
yield potential.
In four years of testing, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have
demonstrated a consistent yield advantage of 7 to 11 percent over Roundup
Ready soybeans. The four-year average yield increase of Roundup Ready 2
Yield over its first-generation counterpart was 9 percent.
Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced on 1 to 2
million acres for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial
release, followed by a large-scale product launch of five to six million
acres scheduled for 2010.
Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have been approved as safe for food and
feed in nine countries and regions -- the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and China. These
countries import more than 70 percent of U.S. soybean exports, providing
U.S. farmers access to a broad market. In addition to the approvals,
Monsanto recently announced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has
issued a positive scientific opinion concluding Roundup Ready 2 Yield is
safe for import as food and feed.
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: http://www.monsanto.com/.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.
When Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans are made available for
commercial release and use, they will be subject to Monsanto Company's
comprehensive stewardship plans consistent with its Stewardship Policy for
Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity
Crops. Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean seed and any product of a Roundup
Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean seed or crop can only be exported to, or used,
processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals
have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to
move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations
where import is not permitted. Roundup Ready(R) crops contain genes that
confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup(R)
agricultural herbicides. Roundup agricultural herbicides will kill crops
that are not glyphosate tolerant. Roundup Ready(R) and Roundup Ready 2
Yield(TM) are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Deltapine(R) is a
trademark of D&PL Technology Holding Company LLC. (C) 2008 Monsanto
Company.
SOURCE Monsanto Company
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.monsanto.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114341.html/
CONTACT:
media, Janice Person, +1-901-375-5656, or
investors, Scarlett Foster, +1-314-694-8148, both for Monsanto
Company
|
