European Commission Continues Unnecessary Delay of 1507 Maize Cultivation application

BRUSSELS, Belgium, May 7, 2008 - Today the European Commissioners supported the continued and unnecessary delay in the European Union approval of 1507 maize for cultivation. The Commissioners have supported a proposal to send the application back to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for a record third opinion.

“The 1507 maize cultivation application was submitted nearly seven years ago, has received two positive safety opinions from the EFSA, but the Commission continues to ignore EU procedures by failing to send this application to EU Member States for a vote. After more than three years since the first positive safety opinion by the EFSA, the time has come for the Commission to live up to the rules the EU set for the approval of biotech crops”, said Gyula Kovács, Pioneer Europe director of Operations.

The 1507 maize cultivation application has been approved as safe by the European Food Safety Authority twice already (Jan. 2005 and Nov. 2006). Furthermore, from November 2007 to January 2008 (Minutes of EFSA GMO Panel meetings 37th, 38th and 39th), EFSA evaluated the new scientific publications raised by DG ENVI and concluded that they provided no new scientific evidence of any adverse effect. EFSA stated that there is no reason to require a re-assessment or amendment of its previous positive scientific opinions on the safety of 1507 maize for cultivation.

Studies in Europe have shown that the benefits for European farmers by growing 1507 maize in areas of insect pressure could range from €20 to €250 per hectare in addition to savings from no longer needing to use insecticides. “At a time when global demand for grain has never been so high and will keep growing, it is critical that the EU Commission act to approve agriculture products for cultivation in Europe that will contribute to increasing the quantity and quality of European agricultural produce and thus avoid the far-reaching consequences of food price increases”, continued Kovács.

1507 maize is genetically modified with the Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) trait to provide an environmentally-friendly means of protecting maize plants against destructive insect attacks. 1507 maize helps reduce the use of pesticides and, because it produces more grain on the same land area, it improves farm productivity and profitability – sustainable agriculture in practice. Furthermore, 1507 maize does not contain an antibiotic resistance marker gene and the Bt protein as contained in 1507 maize has a long history of safe use by organic farmers.

“In 2007, there were more than 110,000 hectares of Bt maize planted in Europe by thousands of farmers. Contrary to the main objectives of the European Union, the unexplained delays in approving 1507 maize for cultivation has resulted in strengthening a de facto monopoly in favour of the MON810 technology, meaning that EU farmers have been denied the choice of effective alternatives,” concluded Kovács.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

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05/07/08

Contact:
Mr. Mike Hall
Communications Manager, Europe
Tel. +41 91 610 9063 (direct)
Mob. +41 79 755 8153