Herculex® Receives Regulatory Approval in Brazil
Biotech Trait Should Lead to Greater Productivity, Profitability for Brazilian Farmers
Brasilia, Brazil (Vocus/PRWEB ) December 11, 2008 -- DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced that they have received regulatory approval granted by the Brazilian National Commission on Biosafety, CTNBio, for cultivation of the Herculex® I insect protection trait in Brazil. The Herculex® I trait is the only biotechnology trait that provides the highest level of protection available to Brazilian growers against fall armyworm and sugarcane borer, which can devastate Brazilian corn yields.
"Today's approval is a tremendous win for everyone in the value chain," said Paul E. Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and general manager. "Brazilian growers win with higher yields and less inputs, seed suppliers win with greater revenue potential from this high-value trait and grain buyers win because they will get a more consistent supply of high-quality grain."
Herculex® I offers season-long control against a broad spectrum of insect pests which feed on Brazilian corn, including fall armyworm and sugarcane borer. The registration of Herculex® I will allow farmers to use it as part of an integrated pest management system to attain higher yields of quality grain with fewer pesticide applications per year.
"This approval provides growers in Brazil - the third-largest corn producing nation in the world - with a wider range of enhanced crop protection technologies and offers greater opportunities for them to compete in the global market," said Antonio Galindez, Dow AgroSciences vice president, Crops Global Business Unit. "Herculex® I, our first transgenic corn offering in Brazil, also is approved for cultivation in the United States, Canada and Argentina and is authorized for food and feed uses in major grain-importing nations such as Japan, Korea and Mexico."
Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer formed a research collaboration in 1995 to develop insect resistant traits for themselves and for out-licensing. Herculex® I was launched in the United States in 2003. While the two companies jointly developed the traits, they are marketing them separately. Dow AgroSciences is responsible for all out-licensing.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Ind., USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, were $3.8 billion in 2007. Dow AgroSciences markets grain corn, sweet corn and seed for other important Brazilian markets including sorghum, sunflower and healthy oils through Dow AgroSciences Sementes & Biotecnologia and Agromen Tecnologia brands. Learn more at www.dowagro.com.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
Contacts:
DuPont
Brazil: Jhoryka Melo
+55-11-4166-8182
Outside Brazil: Patrick Arthur
515-334-6515
Dow AgroSciences
Brazil: Mario Von Zuben
+55-99136-384
Outside Brazil: Garry Hamlin
317-337-4799
Herculex® Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
® Herculex and the HX logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
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