SmartStax, an all-in-one corn trait platform, has received registration from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regulatory authorisation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), remaining on track for a 2010 commercial launch, according to Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto.

 

Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences signed a cross licensing and R&D collaboration agreement in 2007. The combination of each company's corn traits will provide the most comprehensive above- and below-ground insect and weed control in the form of SmartStax.

 

The decisions by the EPA and CFIA will allow reduction of the typical structured farm refuge from 20 percent to five percent for SmartStax in the US Corn Belt and Canada, and from 50 percent to 20 percent in the US Cotton Belt.

 

The companies noted that the new corn seed technology is expected to be offered to farmers on three million- to four-million-plus acres in its first year of availability. The product's launch would represent the largest introduction of a corn biotech seed product in the history of agriculture.

 

Robb Fraley, Monsanto Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, said, ''The five percent refuge for SmartStax will give farmers a tremendous advantage to increase whole farm corn yield five to 10 percent. This reduced refuge will further reduce insecticide use while reducing grower risks and enhancing the long-term durability of the technology.''

 

Jerome Peribere, Dow AgroSciences President and CEO, said, ''The multiple modes of action of SmartStax reduce the likelihood of insect resistance, making possible a significant reduction in the refuge requirement. Corn farmers who plant hybrids with SmartStax will benefit from increased productivity due to improved pest protection and a reduced refuge.''

 

Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto are also working with the regulatory agencies in key countries to have import approvals for SmartStax in place prior to the 2010 US season. These regulatory submissions are on track to support commercialisation for the 2010 US crop season.

 

SmartStax will be sold by Dow AgroSciences through its seed brands, and the product will be used as the platform to launch future trait technologies including Dow AgroSciences Herbicide Tolerant Trait technology and other agronomic enhancements.

 

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, is an agricultural company that provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products.