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EU Grandfathers 15 Monsanto Biotech Traits for Processed Feed Products

What This Means for Growers

The European Union (EU) recently announced that the following Monsanto corn traits already in the marketplace will be accepted (grandfathered) in processed feed: YieldGard® Plus, YieldGard Rootworm, YieldGard Rootworm with Roundup Ready® Corn 2 and YieldGard Corn Borer with Roundup Ready Corn 2.

The EU's action on these biotech products could result in additional marketing options for many growers who plant biotech seed, because some corn processors who send corn-based feed but not corn-based food ingredients to EU markets have expanded their grain buying to include the above listed biotech traits. It is important that growers speak with grain buyers in their area to learn more about this development and what it may mean to them. Furthermore, growers should understand their processing facility's buying policies.

"We believe this announcement is important for the tens of thousands of U.S. farmers who plant and recognize the benefits of Monsanto's biotech products," says Raj Ketkar, Monsanto's Business Director for Biotech Grain. "We hope this helps growers understand the EU regulatory advancement and provides them with the information necessary to learn more about elevator buying policies."

Monsanto's Roundup Ready Corn 2 and YieldGard Corn Borer products (single traits only) have already received full EU food and feed approvals. Food approvals for other Monsanto corn products marketed in the United States are pending in the EU regulatory process.

Grandfathered Products

In all, the European Commission's list includes 26 "existing products" that may continue to be marketed in processed feed products because they fulfilled the notification requirements under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The EU grandfathering decision means these products may continue to be marketed legally in processed feeds, including corn gluten feed, which is the primary use of U.S. corn products exported to the EU.

The 15 Monsanto single traits or stacked-trait combinations that are included in the Commission's announcement on marketing continuation are:

  • Corn: Roundup Ready Corn 2; YieldGard Corn Borer; YieldGard Corn Borer with Roundup Ready Corn 2; YieldGard Rootworm; YieldGard Rootworm with Roundup Ready Corn 2; YieldGard Plus; Roundup Ready Corn (GA21), YieldGard Corn Borer with Roundup Ready Corn

  • Cotton: Bollgard® Cotton; Roundup Ready Cotton; Bollgard with Roundup Ready Cotton; Bollgard II® Cotton; Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Cotton

  • Soybeans: Roundup Ready Soybeans

  • Canola: Roundup Ready Canola

Traits with Special Marketing Requirements

It is important that growers speak with grain buyers in their area about their processing facility's buying policies for these traits. The traits listed below as well as YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready Corn 2 will continue to be marketed under the Market Choices certification mark until further notice. YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready Corn 2 was not eligible for this recognition process and regulatory approval in the EU is currently pending.

  • YieldGard Corn Borer with Roundup Ready Corn 2

  • YieldGard Rootworm Corn

  • YieldGard Rootworm with Roundup Ready Corn 2

  • YieldGard Plus Corn

For more information on local elevator buying positions, growers can call the 1-866-SELLCORN hotline (1-866-735-5267) or log on to 866sellcorn.com.

On April 18, 2005, the European Union (E.U.) notified that the following Monsanto corn traits already in the marketplace will be accepted (grandfathered) in processed feed: YieldGard Plus, YieldGard Rootworm, YieldGard Rootworm with Roundup Ready Corn 2 and YieldGard Corn Borer with Roundup Ready Corn 2.This action by the E.U. on these biotech products may result in additional marketing options for growers who plant seeds containing these traits. Growers must talk to their grain handler to learn more and to determine whether this development affects their ability to market or their decision to plant these traits. YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready 2 Corn was not in the market, and therefore not qualified to be notified by the E.U. for acceptance in processed feed. Growers planting YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready 2 Corn must talk to their grain handler to confirm the handler's buying position for grain from this product.

Always read and grain marketing and insect resistance management requires, and follow pesticide label directions. Roundup Ready crops contain a Roundup Ready® gene, which confers tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® agricultural herbicides. Roundup agricultural herbicides will kill crops that do not contain the Roundup Ready gene.

Bollgard®, Bollgard II®, Roundup Ready® and YieldGard® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology, LLC. ©2005 Monsanto Company.