Dow AgroSciences LLC, Indianapolis, has signed an agreement to purchase the acetochlor herbicide product line from Zeneca Limited. Acetochlor is a leading herbicide used by farmers around the world to control grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds in corn (maize) and other crops. Zeneca is selling the acetochlor product line to comply with regulatory requirements relating to the pending merger of its crop protection business with that of Novartis.

The acetochlor purchase is expected to close in November, 2000, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals. Following the close of the purchase, acetochlor brands that will become Dow AgroSciences products include Surpass®, FulTime®, TopNotch®, Trophy®, Wenner(TM) and others. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"Acetochlor is an excellent fit in our global weed control product portfolio,'' explained Jerome
Peribere, global leader of weed management businesses for Dow AgroSciences. "Adding this
popular grass control product will allow us to offer competitive, complete weed control packages to many farmers around the world. Acetochlor will be our primary product in the soil-applied grass
control category for maize, which is a substantial global crop.''

Peribere said, while the majority of acetochlor sales are currently for use on corn in the U.S., the
product is registered and sold in 32 countries, including countries in Latin America, Europe and
Africa. Product registrations, which vary from country-to-country, include field, pop, seed, sweet and silage corn, sunflowers, and soybeans.

According to Stan Howell, Dow AgroSciences trade area leader for North America, acetochlor will
also round out the company's extensive portfolio of products for corn farmers.

"We have a number of leading products for corn farmers including Lorsban* 15G granular
insecticide, N-Serve* nitrogen stabilizer, Hornet* herbicide and Glyphomax* herbicide,'' Howell said. "Adding acetochlor products for grass control complements that package. When you factor in our affiliation with Mycogen Seeds, and its pending acquisition of assets of Cargill Hybrid Seeds, we become a full-line supplier for corn producers.''

Howell said purchasing acetochlor, and working more closely with Mycogen Seeds as it expands its product portfolio, are part of Dow AgroSciences' corporate strategy of value growth through a
combination of acquisitions, alliances and internal research and product development efforts.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Ind., 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 safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $2 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. 

*Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC 

Company news release
N3090