By Robert Derham, Checkbiotech

Japanese authorities have given the green light for the importation of genetically modified corn varieties, containing both Monsanto’s Roundup Ready traits and Dow AgroScience’s Herculex I traits.

The announcement from Japanese authorities is a welcome notice for many farmers in North America, and the trio of biotech companies involved in the enhanced varieties, since the dual-acting corn varieties had already been approved for growth in North America.

The enhanced varieties were a joint effort from three companies. Monsanto supplied the genetic information for its Roundup Ready Corn 2 technology and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc and Dow AgroSciences supplied the Herculex I genetic information.

“Corn hybrids with the Herculex I and Roundup Ready stacked traits expands the number of choices growers have in crop protection traits,” says Kyle Whitaker, technology launch manager for Pioneer. “This allows producers to better select corn hybrids that best fit the specific needs of their farming operations.”

Combined, the enhanced corn varieties protect against the European and Southwestern corn borer, the Western Bean Cutworm, the Back Cutworm and the Fall Armyworm through the Herculex I genetic material, while also providing the corn varieties with resistance to glyphosate.

Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup Ready herbicide sprays, which helps farmers control weeds through its broad-spectrum efficacy. It helps eliminate the need for farmers to use several different herbicides to minimize weed growth.

“These import approvals for grain corn containing Herculex I and Roundup Ready traits increase marketing opportunities for growers of this trait combination and give farmers more pest-control options,” says Tom Wiltrout, general manager, U.S. Seeds, at Dow AgroSciences. “It also demonstrates the growing global acceptance for the technology.”

Individually, the traits for Herculex I and Roundup Ready I had already been approved for import into Japan. However, the Japanese regulatory system requires that new varieties, with two or more genes (stacked traits crops), need to be brought before regulatory review again as a separate case.

The joint efforts by Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences, with respect to research and development and regulatory approval efforts will continue with regards to genetically engineered corn varieties with Herculex I traits.

However, both companies will market and cell transgenic corn varieties with the Herculex I trait independently and on a competitive basis. Dow AgroSciences plans to sell its seeds through Mycogen Seeds and other licensed seed companies, while Pioneer will sell its seeds under its own brand.

Related Pioneer news release: Herculex I Insect Protection and Roundup Ready Corn 2 earns Japanese approval