BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The EU Commission today announced that it has approved DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International's biotech maize known as 1507, for all food uses. This decision, along with the November 2005 approval of 1507 maize for import and animal feed use, paves the way for grain and processed products with the 1507 trait to be imported in all 25 EU countries. 1507 maize is resistant to insects that damage maize crops around the world.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051005/CGW049LOGO-b )
"Today's decision is great news for farmers and for Pioneer," said Dean Oestreich, president, Pioneer. "This approval supports expanded choices for farmers and recognizes the safety and value of Pioneer biotech products worldwide."
This authorization follows the positive safety evaluation of 1507 maize by the European Food Safety Authority. Today's decision is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in the coming days.
Planted in several markets including Argentina, Canada and the United States, 1507 maize offers broad in-plant insect protection against the European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, western bean cutworm, black cutworm and fall armyworm. It also helps reduce pesticide applications and, because it produces more grain on the same land area, it improves farm productivity and profitability -- sustainable agriculture in practice.
"1507 maize can help farmers protect their seed investment by minimizing the risk of insect damage, while maximizing the yield performance of Pioneer's superior seed products," said Oestreich.
Jointly developed by Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences LLC, and marketed as Herculex(R) I in the United States, maize hybrids with the 1507 trait have already been approved in 12 other countries around the world.
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, 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, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science 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, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
Herculex Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi- Bred. Contacts: Mike Hall, Europe Desiree Fletcher-Hayes, USA +32 2 663 5986 (direct) +1.515.334.6768 (direct) +32 472 851 099 (mobile) +1.515.314.7974 (mobile) mike.hall@pioneer.comdesiree.fletcher-hayes@pioneer.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051005/CGW049LOGO-bAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.orgPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comPioneer Hi-Bred InternationalCONTACT: Mike Hall, Europe, +32 2 663 5986 (direct), or +32 472 851 099(mobile), or mike.hall@pioneer.com , or Desiree Fletcher-Hayes, USA,+1-515-334-6768 (direct), or +1-515-314-7974 (mobile), ordesiree.fletcher-hayes@pioneer.com , both of Pioneer Hi-Bred International
