September 26, 2014

 

US approves Dow AgroScience's GMO Enlist crops

In one of the latest developments concerning genetically-modified organism (GMO), Dow AgroSciences' new genetically-modified corn and soybeans has been granted approval by the US this month, taking the company a step closer to its "most important" product launch ever.

 

While the USDA has approved Dow's Enlist crops, the company is still waiting approval for its Enlist herbicide.

 

Dow AgroSciences, a unit of Dow Chemical Co, has spent close to five years seeking US regulatory approval for the new herbicide product and herbicide-tolerant crops which are named under the 'Enlist Weed Control System'.

 

The company projects that the products will bring Dow US$1 billion, and hopes Enlist can be on the market in time for the 2015 US planting season. It also desire to boost its share of the US seed market which is dominated by Monsanto.

 

However, a series of hurdles remain. "We are aware of the concerns that have been expressed," said Dow AgroSciences' president, Tim Hassinger. "At the same time, we've been really pleased with how the farm community and the broader agricultural community have come forward in support."

 

Farmers, planting Enlist crops, can spray their fields with Enlist herbicide which kill weeds but leaving crops unaffected.

 

However, the threat of lawsuits by food safety and environmental groups could delay Dow's plan to have farmers planting Enlist crops by next spring. Critics claim that Enlist herbicide, which is made with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, will escalate severe weed resistance problems on farms and create safety issues for consumers.

 

The Center for Food Safety is one of the key opponents against Enlist products and has a history of winning court orders which led to delays of other GMO crops, including sugar beets, canola and alfalfa.

 

 

Dow also faces challenge in obtaining import approval of Enlist products from China which has recently been rejecting shipments of US corn due to concerns of a GMO corn developed by Syngenta AG.

 

According to the company, Dow is undecided on whether it will wait for Chinese approval before selling Enlist in the US.

 

Hassinger said that the company was "right in the middle of the process" to gain China's approval, a process which may take two years.