Herculex™ I Insect Protection - an insect-resistant corn trait offering broad-spectrum control - has just been re-registered, as recently announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This reaffirms the EPA's initial findings that Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn products are safe to human health and the environment.

The re-registration allows corn containing Herculex I to be sold in the United States for the next seven years.

This Bt corn product, containing the Cry1F trait, was developed collaboratively by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Both companies plan to market and sell Cry1F trait-containing corn separately in their own hybrids, on a competitive basis.

In announcing the registration of Herculex I, the EPA also announced re-registration of Bt corn products marketed by other companies.

No risk to people, butterflies or endangered species
The EPA is "confident that Bt corn does not pose risks to human health or the environment," said Stephen L. Johnson, assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, in making this announcement.

Johnson added that careful review of Bt corn products by an independent panel of health and medical experts found no evidence that they pose allergenic risks to people. Nor were they found to impact monarch butterfly populations or to threaten endangered species, Johnson said.

Karner blue butterfly restrictions removed
Under the new registration, restrictions relating to the Karner blue butterfly have been removed. Initially, geographical restrictions were placed on Cry1F prior to the EPA's review of scientific data submitted by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Agency officials removed these restrictions after finalizing their review of the scientific data. This evaluation convinced them that Cry1F would not place populations of these species at risk.

New rules for resistance management, record keeping
In reregistering Bt corn products, the EPA is also requiring companies holding registrations to educate growers on measures to prevent insects from developing resistance to Bt proteins, to survey growers to ensure their compliance and to report annually to the Agency on the success of these efforts. Companies must also conduct a number of specified monitoring studies to ensure that these products have no adverse impact on wildlife or the environment.

Re-evaluation slated for all Bt corn products in 2008
In 2008, all Bt corn products, including those containing the Cry1F trait, will need to be re-evaluated, taking into account the development of additional scientific information and standards. This requirement is not unique to Herculex I and has been standard practice for the registration of all Bt products. Extension of Bt registrations for an additional seven years, however, demonstrates the government's confidence in the health and safety of these products.

Seed to be available -- international approvals pending
Herculex I seed will be produced and available for the 2002 growing season. Sale of the product will depend on the status of regulatory approvals pending overseas, grain stewardship programs, product demand and other factors.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of approximately US $3 billion. Dow AgroSciences LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.

For more information:

Virgil Edlin
Marketing Specialist - Eastern Seeds
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc.
403-735-8833 (office)
403-735-8854 (fax)
[email protected]

™Herculex I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred