St. Louis, Missouri
February 11, 2002

Pre-Commercial Field Trials Taking Place in 25 Countries

Regulatory approvals, renewals, and increased acreage of Monsanto Company's agricultural biotechnology traits in 2001 signal a growing acceptance of the technology and a broader recognition of its benefits, Monsanto's Chief Technology Officer, Robert T. Fraley, Ph.D., said today.

"The new approvals and plantings in the United States and around the world in 2001, in addition to the pre-commercial biotech field trials underway, show that growers and government regulators recognize the benefits of this technology,'' Fraley said.

"Biotech continues to grow dramatically as demonstrated by the millions of farmers who have adopted the technology, the tens of millions of acres of biotech crops planted, and the continued commercialization of biotechnology in new countries each year.''

The number of acres planted with biotechnology traits developed by Monsanto globally increased
approximately 14 percent to 118 million acres (48 million hectares) in 2001. In the U.S., where the benefits of this technology are typically first introduced, acreage for Monsanto's biotechnology-enhanced traits rose by 17 percent in 2001 to more than 84 million acres (34 million hectares).

According to a recent report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), the expansion of biotech crops is based on the economic and environmental benefits they bring to both developed and developing countries.

"High adoption rates reflect grower satisfaction with the products that offer significant benefits ranging from more convenient and flexible crop management, higher productivity and/or net returns, health benefits, and a safer environment through decreased use of conventional pesticides, which collectively contribute to a more sustainable agriculture,'' said Clive James, chairman of ISAAA.

Commercial Approvals in 2001

In addition to the increasing acreage planted, more countries are approving new products. Ten new commercial approvals were given for Monsanto biotech products in eight countries worldwide in 2001. The approvals were either for production or food import of the biotech products.

For example, last year South African officials approved the commercial use of Roundup Ready soybeans allowing the domestic production of the country's first commercial biotech food crop, which were planted on nearly 17,500 acres (7,000 hectares) in 2001. Imports had been approved previously.

In addition, officials in Indonesia approved Bollgard cotton and Argentinean officials approved Roundup Ready cotton in 2001, both for domestic production.

"These approvals are good news for growers around the world who find the benefits of biotech products are well worth their investment in this technology,'' said Fraley.

"Where they're grown commercially, these products have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to increase growers' incomes.''

Re-Registrations of Commercial Products

Also in 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed registrations for insect-protected cotton and insect-protected corn. These approvals extended Monsanto's commercial licenses to sell Bollgard cotton and YieldGard Corn Borer corn.

"These renewals affirmed the EPA's original assessment of the food, feed, and environmental safety of these products, as well as the effectiveness and benefits of this technology,'' said Fraley.

In reviewing these registrations, Stephen L. Johnson, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances stated:

"The safeguards incorporated into these registrations will ensure that farmers can continue to use an effective, low-risk pest control alternative, which helps to protect the environment by reducing the amount of conventional pesticides used."

Future products in the pipeline for U.S. growers include corn protected from the rootworm pest that will reduce chemical insecticide use and Bollgard II cotton that will expand Bollgard's insect control spectrum to include beet armyworm, fall armyworm and loopers.

"Our investment in the research and development of these products demonstrates Monsanto's commitment to enhancing the productivity and profitability of farmers in the U.S. and around the world,'' said Fraley.

Pre-Commercialization Field Trials of Biotech Traits

In addition to commercial approval and registration renewals of biotech crops, research and testing of biotech products continued throughout the world in 2001. Pre-commercial field trials of biotech products last year were conducted in approximately 25 countries on five continents.

Field trials are conducted in local geographies to evaluate the applicability of the technology, monitor for potential environmental affects, assess performance of seed varieties, and develop stewardship practices for commercialization.

For example, Monsanto is working with researchers and government officials to conduct pre-commercial field trials in Brazil of Roundup Ready soybeans. In India, Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Ltd. (Mahyco), Monsanto's seed partner in India, is conducting field trials of insect-protected cotton.

And in Kenya, the first field trials of virus-resistant sweet potatoes were completed in 2001, a milestone in a collaborative research project that Monsanto has been involved in for several years and continues to support.

"Sweet potatoes and other staple crops enhanced through biotechnology to resist pests, viruses and drought can bring significant economic, environmental and health benefits to Africa and the developing world,'' said Robert Horsch, Ph.D., Vice President for Monsanto's Technology Cooperation program.

"Plant biotechnology can improve the quantity and quality of the crops subsistence farmers depend on in the developing world to feed their families and communities.''

Continued Adoption of Plant Biotechnology Projected

According to Clive James of ISAAA, the number of farmers planting biotech crops will continue to grow in 2002, particularly in developing countries.

According to the ISAAA report, "The commercialization of GM crops in India and Brazil would represent a watershed for genetically modified crops in developing countries in that the three most populous countries in Asia as well as the three major economies of Latin America would then all be commercializing and benefiting from transgenic crops.''

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON - news) is a leading provider of agricultural solutions to growers worldwide. Monsanto's employees provide top-quality, cost-effective and integrated approaches to help farmers improve their productivity and produce better quality foods.