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St. Louis, Missouri
May 3, 2001
Full commercial approval of Roundup Ready cotton in
Argentina is the latest demonstration of the global acceptance of this valuable technology,
Monsanto Company said today.
"The approval is yet another signal that biotechnology is continuing to grow throughout the
world and that farmers and governmental regulators see the very real benefits of this
technology,'' said Randy Deaton, global cotton business lead. "Roundup Ready cotton offers
growers greater simplicity in weed control, a reduced need for tillage, the opportunity to save
valuable soil moisture and nutrients as well as reducing their overall input cost.''
Argentina's Agriculture, Livestock, Fish and Food Secretary Marcelo Regunaga issued the
final approval for the full commercialization of Roundup Ready cotton in Argentina on April
27. Regunaga's directive comes after review and evaluation by CONABIA, Argentina's
national advisory agency on biotechnology and SENASA (National Service of Food Safety
and Foreign Markets Agency).
Completion of the Argentine regulatory review process allows Monsanto to move ahead with
plans to commercialize Roundup Ready technology in cotton during the 2001 growing
season.
The Roundup Ready cotton varieties will be offered for sale through CDM Mandiyu S.R.L.,
a joint venture company between Ciagro, Delta and Pine Land Company and Monsanto.
CDM Mandiyu and Monsanto plan to make the Roundup Ready technology available in
varieties bred by National Institute of Ag Technology (INTA) and Delta and Pine Land on a
limited number of acres.
"Consistent with our practice for insect-protected Biogodon cotton (known as Bollgard or
Ingard in other countries), Argentine farmers will pay a technology fee for use of the Roundup
Ready trait,'' Deaton said.
"While the amount of the fee has not yet been established, we expect it to reflect the value the
Roundup Ready technology brings to Argentine farmers,'' Deaton said.
"Roundup Ready cotton seed is covered by intellectual property laws in Argentina so seed saving
will not be allowed.''
A small commercial launch in Argentina is expected, although the amount of seed that will be
available in the fall of 2001 has yet to be determined. "This launch will give Argentine growers a
chance to evaluate the technology on a production scale basis,''
Deaton said.
The new cotton approval in Argentina complements previously approved Monsanto traits in the country for cotton, corn and
soybeans.
Roundup Ready technology in cotton is already commercially available in the United States,
Australia and Mexico and has regulatory approval for commercialization in South Africa.
Roundup Ready cotton has been developed through the use of biotechnology to be tolerant of Roundup herbicide, offering
cotton growers a more flexible weed control system with significant environmental and economic benefits.
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON - news) is a leading global provider of technology- based solutions and agricultural
products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see:
www.monsanto.com .
Company news release
N3513 |
