Increasing Global Support of Herculex(R) Family of Traits

Dean Oestreich, president, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, issued the following statement on the announcement of the EU decision to approve 1507 for import and feed use, marketed as Herculex(R) I Insect Protection in the United States:

"We are very encouraged by today's EU approval of 1507 for import and feed use, and are looking forward to food use approval in early 2006. This approval supports a growing acceptance of plant biotechnology. A rapidly growing number of farmers around the world are using the technology to deliver a reliable supply of healthy and safe foods and feed products for the people of the world. " "While actual imports to the EU of 1507 maize grain will only be feasible once it is approved in the EU for food use, today's decision is an important step in the EU approval process."

"Pioneer has the richest product pipeline in our history. We have high- performing genetics, new technologies and the know-how to drive value for our customers."

Co-developed by Pioneer and Dow Agrosciences, maize grain with the Herculex I trait has already received full food, feed and import approval from twelve countries, including the U.S., Canada and Japan. Herculex(R) I protects maize plants against European and southwestern corn borer, western bean cutworm, black cutworm and fall armyworm. Herculex(R) RW protects maize plants against western, northern and Mexican corn rootworms.

Both Herculex(R) RW and Herculex(R) XTRA recently received final U.S. approval . Herculex(R) XTRA contains stacked traits of Herculex(R) I and Herculex(R) RW. When on the market, this stacked product will offer growers the broadest in-plant insect protection available.

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. DuPont is a science company that creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.

(R) Herculex(R) Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex(R) and shield design are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.