Washington, DC
June 11, 2009
Syngenta today announced that it has acquired Georgia-based
Circle One
Global, Inc., to add an innovative antitoxin crop protection
technology to the company's portfolio. Circle One Global markets
the product Afla-Guard®, which is aimed at reducing aflatoxin, a
toxin that can develop in crops such as corn and peanuts,
particularly during heat and drought stress.
"The acquisition of this technology adds an important biological
crop protection technology to the Syngenta portfolio, further
complementing our modern crop protection portfolio," said
Valdemar Fischer, president of Syngenta Crop Protection, North
America. "Food security and quality are high on the agenda of
the food chain and consumers. This new, sustainable technology
can dramatically increase usable yield, protect growers'
investments in crop production, and may allow for the
re-introduction of corn to parts of the southern U.S. where
aflatoxin has prevented its cultivation for many years."
The Afla-Guard technology was originally developed by the USDA
Agricultural Research Service and licensed exclusively to Circle
One Global in 2002. The product is currently registered for use
on corn and peanuts in the U.S. Syngenta plans to apply for
extension of the registration line to other crops and expand
production to meet the anticipated demand. The Company also
plans to seek registration of Afla-Guard in other countries.
Afla-Guard is the first registered microbial antifungal crop
protection product for use on corn and peanuts that has been
effective in reducing the levels of aflatoxin in these crops.
Aflatoxin contamination costs U.S. corn and peanut farmers more
than $200 million annually.
Afla-Guard contains a naturally-occurring, non-toxic fungus that
reduces the development of the fungi that produce aflatoxin in
grains, nuts and oil seeds through competition. Afla-Guard uses
an inert agricultural granule carrier to deploy the spores of
the non-toxic fungus. The spores grow and colonize the field,
allowing for efficient growth of the crop. Use of Afla-Guard
will provide a new and effective tool to complement cultural and
management practices that can also help to reduce aflatoxin
contamination.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
For more information, please visit www.afla-guard.com or
contact the Syngenta Customer Service Center at 1-866-SYNGENTA
(1-866-796-4368).
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than
24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose:
Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science,
global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase
crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health
and quality of life. For more information about us please go to
www.syngenta.com
Afla-Guard and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta
Group Company. |
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