Monsanto Completes Regulatory Submissions in Brazil for First Biotech Insect-Protected Soybean Technology

Product will offer farmers latest yield enhancing technology with Roundup Ready 2 Yield along with an in-seed option to further combat yield robbing insects 


ST. LOUIS, June 22, 2009  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that it has completed regulatory submission in Brazil for its insect-protected Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans. The stacked trait product provides both protection from feeding damage caused by lepidopteran insect pests in Brazil and tolerance to Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides. This is the first biotech insect-protected product in soybeans and Monsanto's first biotech product targeted primarily at a market outside the United States.

The company expects to commercialize Bt Roundup Ready 2 Yield (TM) soybeans in Brazil in the early to middle part of the next decade pending global regulatory approvals. Submissions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have also been completed. Submissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and key import markets will occur over the next several months.

"We expect this product to provide a step change for Brazilian soybean farmers by protecting against insects that cause significant economic loss combined with the increased yield provided by the Roundup Ready 2 Yield trait, which was introduced commercially this year in the United States," said Roy Fuchs, oilseed technology lead for Monsanto. "Better insect control can help reduce pesticide applications and offer farmers yield protection, thus helping agriculture meet the food, fuel and fiber needs of a growing population."

Bt Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are in Phase 3 of development, which includes trait integration, field testing and regulatory data generation. Insect-protected soybeans use the same Bt technology widely adopted in corn and cotton to control lepidopteran insect pests. The benefit from better insect protection will further add value to the increased yield provided by Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans.

Currently, farmers in key soybean growing regions of the U.S. do not consistently face insect-pressure from lepidopteran pests.

This product is a high-impact technology in Monsanto's R&D pipeline with a projected value in 2020 to be $300 million-$500 million. This product represents the first of several technologies the company plans to offer farmers in other world areas - all aimed at helping to address the needs of farmers in their geography.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.  Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy.  To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com/ .

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, such as statements concerning the company's future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: the success of the companies' research and development activities; the costs of and the companies' abilities to access and enforce intellectual property needed for the collaboration; the costs and requirements of regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received; public acceptance of biotechnology products; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this presentation. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Editor's Note: Roundup and Roundup Ready 2 Yield are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company.

CONTACT:  Riddhi Trivedi-St. Clair, Monsanto (314-694-4490) 

DATASOURCE: Monsanto Company



CONTACT:  Riddhi Trivedi-St. Clair of Monsanto, [phone]



Web Site:  http://www.monsanto.com/ 

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