Biotech Updates

Monsanto and Dow’s Eight-Trait Corn Gets Japanese Import Nod

August 7, 2009

Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences announced that they have received full Japanese regulatory approval for importation of grain produced from SmartStax, their new eight-trait herbicide-tolerant, insect-resistant, genetically modified corn. SmartStax has previously received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regulatory authorization from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In a press release, Monsanto and Dow said that the "food, feed and environmental safety of SmartStax corn were each reviewed and approved by the government agencies in Japan."

SmartStax, the product of a 2007 collaborative agreement between Monsanto and Dow, is said to feature a combination of insect control traits that significantly reduces the risk of resistance for both above and below ground pests. The companies plan to launch the GM corn on 4 million-plus acres next year.

The press release is available at http://www.dowagro.com/newsroom/corporatenews/2009/20090731a.htm