The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has notified Dow AgroSciences that a new spinosyn insecticide compound under development by Dow AgroSciences has been accepted for expedited review under the Agency's Reduced Risk Pesticide Program.

"The advancement of this new molecule represents Dow AgroSciences' continued commitment to bringing innovative chemistry solutions to market," states Don Kelley, global product manager, insecticides, for Dow AgroSciences. The new molecule, trade name to be determined, is a NAFTA submission involving simultaneous registration review by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Acceptance for expedited review under the Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative is an important milestone toward achieving registration in the U.S. Registration and launch of products containing this new molecule are anticipated in late 2007 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Expedited review for U.S. registration is the first of many anticipated milestones for the molecule, which is being developed for global markets. When products containing the new molecule are introduced in Japan, Dow AgroSciences has selected Sumitomo Chemical Company as their preferred distribution partner for that market.

"Our track record of developing insecticides with favorable environmental profiles is one of the best in the industry," explains Kelley. "This compound, which is derived from a naturally-occurring substance, will combine a new standard of performance with excellent environmental characteristics that will allow us to serve customers in new crop segments."

In laboratory and field tests to date, the molecule has shown excellent broad spectrum control of significant pests for the tree fruit, tree nut, vine and vegetable markets, including control of codling moth, oriental fruit moth, leafrollers, thrips, and leafminers. The molecule is being evaluated for positive environmental characteristics, and testing to date has found it does not impact most key beneficial insects in tree fruit, tree nut, vine and vegetable crops. In addition, testing on target pests shows the compound to be effective at lower use rates compared to most currently available insecticides, and less persistent in the environment compared to older compounds.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top tier agricultural company providing innovative crop protection, seeds, and biotechnology solutions to serve the world's growing population. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, global sales for Dow AgroSciences are $3.4 billion.