ST. LOUIS (Oct. 22, 2009)--Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today it has received approval from the Agriculture Ministry and Minister of Environment in Mexico to plant small-scale field trials of its corn traits in Sonora, ending an 11-year moratorium on biotech corn research in Mexico. 

“This is the first of many steps in bringing the benefits of biotech corn to Mexico’s farmers, which will help them increase their productivity using fewer resources and as a result improve their quality of life,” said Jose Manuel Madero, Monsanto business lead for Latin America North. “Through these trials, Mexican scientists will be able to obtain scientific data that will help us gain valuable insights on the best ways to manage this important crop in the Mexican environment.”

The six-month trials will start at the end of the month. Monsanto expects to deliver the results to Mexican authorities in May 2010. Madero said the Monsanto team expects the results of the trials will help alleviate any concerns the Mexican government has had related to biotechnology.

“Mexican regulators have put in place a detailed, rigorous review process,” Madero said. “We are appreciative of the efforts they have taken to ensure a science-based assessment of this technology.”

The approval follows completion in March of a regulatory framework on biosafety and biotechnology, which allowed the Mexican government to start to receive and process permit applications for biotech field trials. The framework put in place guidelines for introduction of biotech corn in Mexico in order to protect Mexican corn landraces. Mexico established a moratorium on biotech corn plantings in 1997, with the caveat that it would be lifted when such a regulatory framework was implemented.

The field trials in Sonora of Monsanto corn technologies NK603 (Roundup Ready® Corn 2), MON 89034 x NK603 (YieldGard VT PRO™ and Roundup Ready® Corn 2) and MON 89034 x MON88017 (Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ ) will be conducted by local researchers. Researchers will generate scientific data on agronomic equivalency and environmental interactions as well as field efficacy, insect control and herbicide tolerance of select corn traits. Additionally, the trials will allow Mexican scientists to compare their results to studies conducted around the world on the corn technology and develop research in the northern Mexican state.

Monsanto also has received field trial permits for the states of Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.

Mexico has nearly 20 million acres of corn in total, and more than 4.4 million acres of corn hybrids.  The country requires 31 million tons of grain annually, 10 million of which are imported.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com.

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product 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. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.

IMPORTANT: Grain Marketing and Seed Availability: Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ has received the necessary approvals in the United States however, as of Oct. 22, 2009, approval has not been received in all major corn export markets. Monsanto anticipates that all such approvals will be in place for the 2010 growing season. If all approvals are not in place, Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ seed will only be available as part of a commercial demonstration program that includes grain marketing stewardship requirements. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Consult with your seed representative for current regulatory and stewardship information status.

B.t. products, including Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ Corn, may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Genuity™, Genuity and Design™, Genuity Icons, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, VT Triple PRO™, and YieldGard VT PRO™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC.