Statement on the Planting of One Billionth Acre of Biotech Seed

DES MOINES, IA, May 9, 2005 - Tom West, vice president of biotechnology affairs, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., issued the following statement on the announcement of the planting of the one billionth acre of biotech seed:

"Today, we have hit an amazing milestone - somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, a farmer has planted the one billionth acre of seed containing biotech traits. Farmers around the world have recognized the significant value of biotechnology and have adopted its use at an amazing pace."

"I believe we are witnessing one of the greatest technological changes in the history of agriculture. Few technologies, not even the introduction hybrid corn in 1926 by Henry Wallace, have had the rapid acceptance and growth rate that biotech crops have enjoyed. For the first time last year, biotech crop area in developing countries grew faster than developed countries, further indicating the important economic, health and social benefits realized by these small farmers."

"It is exciting to think about the additional benefits that global consumers will derive from new biotechnology introductions in the years ahead."