April 10, 2007

Syngenta explains action on new corn hybrid
 

As the expansion for acreage of corn looms signalled in the US Department of Agriculture's Prospective Planting Report issued March 30, biotech crop producer Syngenta said it will make its Agrisure™ RW corn available to farmers this year to keep up with strong demand and maintain "a healthy balance in grain supply for all markets.

Agrisure™ RW claims to be capable of controlling corn rootworms while maintaining yield potential and has been granted a full approval for commercialisation in the United States. However, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) called on Syngenta to hold off allowing farmers to plant the corn this season until Japan and other foreign markets for US corn have approved their regulatory measures.

Syngenta said they are seeking full regulatory approval in Japan as well as other major export markets for US corn and corn products. As the company waits for the nod from the Japanese authorities, Syngenta has implemented a comprehensive grower communication/commitment program. This program, in line with National Corn Growers Association's schema on corn plantation, is designed to inform all Agrisure RW growers that grain produced from Agrisure RW hybrids must be directed for local use and away from export systems until Japan approval is granted.

Specifically, Syngenta notes the following actions apply to the Agrisure RW hybrid: Garst, Golden Harvest and NK Brand dealers will not deliver seed to any Agrisure RW customer who does not sign a Grain Use/Marketing Commitment agreement stating they commit to deliver Agrisure RW grain only to non-export locations and provide the name and address of the end-use location. Growers will also be required to sign a stewardship agreement confirming they understand their obligations to market the grain appropriately. Agrisure RW seed will carry a bag tag that states the product does not have Japanese approval and must be directed to domestic uses. During the season, additional communication will be sent to these growers reminding them of their obligations to only market Agrisure RW grain to domestic end-uses. Syngenta will use a third party resource to identify end-use locations that do not export corn (approximately 1,600 sites have previously been identified for growers) and will work with growers to provide additional grain placement assistance to any grower unable to deliver to an approved end-use location.