Growers across the Corn Belt may now have more marketing options for Roundup Ready^® Corn 2 single-trait hybrids with the recent announcement that the trait has been approved for use in food and food ingredients in the European Union (EU) ^*. With this announcement, Roundup Ready Corn 2 single-trait hybrids no longer must carry the Market Choices^® certification mark.

“This approval opens doors into European markets that had previously not accepted Roundup Ready Corn 2 and, therefore, increases the number of places where growers can sell their biotech grain,” says John Jansen, Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Corn 2 Marketing Manager. “This is great news for growers, seed companies, elevators and all segments of the corn industry that have, until now, only seen the benefits of Roundup Ready Corn 2 in markets that did not ship to Europe.”

Until recently, Roundup Ready Corn 2 single-traits hybrids were marketed under the Market Choices certification mark. The Market Choices certification mark, owned and licensed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA, identifies those technologies that are fully approved for food and feed use in the United States and Japan, but are currently lacking approval in the European Union.

Growers who planted Roundup Ready Corn 2 single-trait hybrids agreed to sell the grain to appropriate markets including domestic feed markets or to work with grain handlers who specifically agreed to buy the grain and handle it appropriately. Now, seed companies can discontinue the use of the Market Choices certification mark for Roundup Ready Corn 2 single-trait hybrids.

According to Jansen, the approval greatly expands the marketing opportunities for growers who planted Roundup Ready Corn 2 in 2004 and for growers considering using the weed-control system in 2005. Jansen suggests U.S. corn growers who planted Roundup Ready Corn 2 seed corn products contact their local grain handlers to learn more about their buying position.

“The best way right now for growers to get up-to-date information on who in their area is buying Roundup Ready Corn 2 is to check with their local grain handler regarding that facility’s buying policy,” suggests Jansen. “Another way to access information on grain marketing options is by logging on to www.866sellcorn.com or by contacting 1-866-SELLCORN.”

Roundup Ready Corn (GA21® event), as well as stacked products containing either Roundup Ready Corn or Roundup Ready Corn 2 are not yet approved in the EU.  Growers planting products containing Roundup Ready Corn 2 stacked with one or more YieldGard^® insect-protected technologies need to continue marketing the grain under the Market Choices certification mark.

Monsanto Company is a leading provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.

Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association, located in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 900 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.

Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Roundup Ready^® crops contain a Roundup Ready gene, which confers tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup^® agricultural herbicides. Roundup^® agricultural herbicides will kill crops that do not contain the Roundup Ready^® gene. Roundup^®, Roundup Ready^®, YieldGard^® and GA21^® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC.  Market Choices is a registered certification mark used under license from the American Seed Trade Association. ©2004 Monsanto Company.

* With the decision, the E.U. authorizes the use of Roundup Ready Corn 2 for human consumption and completes the necessary steps for allowing the import, processing and use of Roundup Ready Corn 2 in animal feed. Roundup Ready Corn 2 is the market name for corn containing NK603, the trait which makes Ready Corn 2 seed corn tolerant to the active ingredient in the Roundup family of agricultural herbicides.