Three Monsanto Genuity Corn Traits Receive Mexican Import Approval

The approvals by Mexico for Genuity SmartStax and Genuity VT Triple PRO are the final major global regulatory import approvals necessary to enable U.S. and Canadian farmers who plant these corn trait technologies to fully market their grain in 2010.

26 Jan 2010 --- Mexico, a major importer of U.S. corn grain and dried distillers grains, has given full regulatory authorization for importation of grain from three Monsanto Company Genuity corn traits: Genuity SmartStax, Genuity VT Triple PRO, and Genuity VT Double PRO.

The approvals by Mexico for Genuity SmartStax and Genuity VT Triple PRO are the final major global regulatory import approvals necessary to enable U.S. and Canadian farmers who plant these corn trait technologies to fully market their grain in 2010. Additionally, farmers who planted Genuity VT Triple PRO as part of a limited commercial demonstration in 2009 may now fully market their grain.

Genuity SmartStax and Genuity VT Triple PRO have regulatory authorizations in the United States, Canada, Japan and Korea, among other countries. Genuity VT Double PRO has full regulatory approval in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Monsanto anticipates approval in Korea for Genuity VT Double PRO during the 2010 growing season. The Genuity brand is Monsanto's system of traits under one platform, making it easier for farmers to select the traits best suited for their farms.

"Farmers who plant these innovative technologies are the real winners here," said Jerry Hjelle, Monsanto Vice President of Global Regulatory. "Increasing global demand for corn grain means they need to get more from every acre. These demands will be met through corn products that improve yield and reduce resource use such as Genuity SmartStax, Genuity VT Triple PRO and Genuity VT Double PRO."

Increased yield from a reduced refuge, improved pest control through multiple modes of action and superior germplasm combine to make Genuity SmartStax the highest yielding corn product available.

The multiple modes of action in Genuity SmartStax are the only proven means to reduce structured refuge to support long-term durability of corn Bt trait technologies. Farmers who adopt Genuity SmartStax will be able to plant a single above- and below-ground structured refuge of 5 percent in Canada and in the U.S. Corn Belt, and 20 percent in the Cotton Belt.

Monsanto plans to launch Genuity SmartStax across all of its brands on more than 4 million acres in 2010.

SmartStax is the outcome of a cross-licensing agreement and research and development collaboration between Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. The technology is the result of best-in-class trait integration that combines each company's industry-leading corn traits to provide growers the broadest spectrum of above- and below-ground protection against pests and weeds.

Corn farmers in the cotton growing regions of the South can benefit from higher yield potential as well as improved grain quality with Genuity VT Triple PRO. The corn technology provides superior control of ear-feeding insects, which can result in reduced levels of mycotoxins.

Genuity VT Triple PRO provides above- and below-ground pest control and Roundup Ready technology. Through its dual modes of action, the next-generation technology sets a new standard for consistency, as well as enhanced durability and reduced potential for insect resistance. Genuity VT Triple PRO has been approved for a reduction in the refuge requirement for corn borer in the South from 50 percent to 20 percent. This means farmers can protect more of their acres with higher yielding Genuity VT Triple PRO compared with non-Bt corn hybrids.

To provide farmers the most profitable products that fit their risk profile, Monsanto brands are offering Genuity VT Double PRO with an appropriate stewardship plan in 2010. The corn technology contains Monsanto's second-generation corn borer technology and the Roundup Ready Corn 2 technology. Genuity VT Double PRO provides a profitable opportunity for growers within select regions who are experiencing low rootworm pressure.

The dual modes of action in Genuity VT Double PRO offer farmers best-in-class protection from European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, fall armyworm, and corn earworm while offering tolerance to Roundup agricultural herbicides. Farmers who experience this technology in 2010 can benefit from greater whole farm yield; Genuity VT Double PRO is the only double-stack product currently on the market to qualify for an above-ground only 5 percent refuge.