Delta and Pine Land Company today announced that it and Monsanto Company have received civil investigative demands (the ``CID'') from the U.S. Department of Justice (the ``DOJ'') in connection with the proposed merger between DLP and Monsanto Company.

The CID seeks information to determine whether there have been any exchanges of information between Monsanto and DLP or any acquisitions likely to have substantially lessened competition in the sale or development of cottonseed or cottonseed genetic traits. DLP and Monsanto intend to cooperate with the DOJ.

Delta and Pine Land Company is a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed. Headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, with multiple offices in seven states and facilities in several foreign countries, DLP also breeds, produces and markets soybean planting seed. Delta and Pine Land Company common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol ``DLP''.

Company news release
N2046