Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) Soybeans Receive China Regulatory Approval

Roundup Ready 2 Yield is the only second-generation biotechnology trait in soybeans to achieve regulatory approvals inthe United States and key export markets likeChina, propelling it to be first to market with 2009 commercial sales. It is also the first in a series of game-changing technology platforms Monsanto is poised to launch for soybeans, corn and cotton.

"Farmer excitement around Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans is building and China regulatory approval demonstrates the acceptance of this product on a global level," said Brett Begemann, Monsanto's executive vice president of global commercial business. "Monsanto spoke with tens of thousands of farmers at the Farm Progress Show inIowa last week and at numerous other field days around the Midwest this summer, and the biggest thing we've heard is they need more yield from soybeans. We're proud we will be able to deliver the first step-change in yield through our Roundup Ready 2 Yield technology and that the launch of this product is right around the corner."

Johnny Dodson, a soybean producer fromHalls, Tenn. and first vice president of the American Soybean Association applauded the news. "China's approval of the Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean prior to the 2009 seed-buying season is welcome news to U.S. soybean farmers," Dodson said. "Timely overseas regulatory approvals are critical because growers have rapidly adopted new biotech-enhanced seed varieties as they became available.

"Last yearChina purchased more than $4 billion worth of soybeans fromthe United States, and as the standard of living continues to rise for the Chinese, so will the demand for our soybeans. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are one of the key technologies that are going to help U.S. farmers meet the world's growing demand for food, feed and fuel made from U.S. soybeans," he added.

Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are the second generation of the popular Roundup Ready(R) technology farmers have used in soybeans since 1996. This product offers the same effective weed control, simplicity and flexibility benefits of the Roundup Ready system and it significantly increases soybean yield potential.

In four years of testing, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have demonstrated a consistent yield advantage of 7 to 11 percent over Roundup Ready soybeans. The four-year average yield increase of Roundup Ready 2 Yield over its first-generation counterpart was 9 percent.

Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced on 1 to 2 million acres for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial release, followed by a large-scale product launch of five to six million acres scheduled for 2010.

Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have been approved as safe for food and feed in nine countries and regions --the United States,Canada,Mexico, Taiwan,Japan,the Philippines,Australia,New Zealand andChina. These countries import more than 70 percent of U.S. soybean exports, providing U.S. farmers access to a broad market. In addition to the approvals, Monsanto recently announced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a positive scientific opinion concluding Roundup Ready 2 Yield is safe for import as food and feed.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company 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: http://www.monsanto.com/.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.

When Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans are made available for commercial release and use, they will be subject to Monsanto Company's comprehensive stewardship plans consistent with its Stewardship Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean seed and any product of a Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybean seed or crop can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Roundup Ready(R) crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides. Roundup agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not glyphosate tolerant. Roundup Ready(R) and Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Deltapine(R) is a trademark of D&PL Technology Holding Company LLC. (C) 2008 Monsanto Company.

SOURCE Monsanto Company

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