The European Union will continue to accept imports of U.S. feed made from processed grain and food and feed additives containing the Herculex(R) I Insect Protection trait, based on an April 18 announcement by the European Commission.

An insect-resistant trait highly effective against European corn borer, black cutworm, western bean cutworm and other destructive pests, Herculex I Insect Protection is approved for cultivation in the U.S. and Canada and under the trademark HX* Insect Protection in Argentina.

"This recent action by the European Commission is good news for American farmers," said Kyle Whitaker, technology manager for Pioneer, "since most corn products exported to the EU are in the form of gluten or other processed feed."

"We're seeing high grower demand this spring for corn hybrids with Herculex I," said Tom Wiltrout, Dow AgroSciences general manager for U.S. Seeds. "This clarification from the EU helps maintain processed feed marketing options for grain bearing this broad spectrum insect-resistance trait."

EU approvals for whole grain produced from Herculex I seed are still pending. Appropriate markets for grain containing Herculex I include domestic feed use or delivery to grain buyers that specifically agree to accept and handle this grain appropriately.

Grain containing the Herculex I trait is approved for import in Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico and other nations.

Herculex I is part of a family of traits stemming from a research collaboration between Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. The two companies have pooled their talents to research, develop and seek regulatory approvals for these new technologies but will independently market and sell the traits in their own elite corn hybrids.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 5,500 people in more than 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of US $3.4 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.

Mycogen markets grain corn, silage corn and nutritionally enhanced corn seed, as well as sunflower, canola, soybean, alfalfa and sorghum seed through a distribution system of sales representatives, distributors and retail outlets.

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 I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. 
(R)Herculex is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
*Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC