European Commission Continues Unnecessary Delay of 1507 Maize Cultivation Application - EU Approval Process not Being Followed by the Commission

Brussels, Belgium (ots/PRNewswire) -

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 Kovacs, 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 euro 20 to euro 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 Kovacs.

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
Kovacs.

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.

Note to Editors:

1. 1507 maize cultivation application timeline:

The 1507 maize import and processing, including animal feed use
dossieri (Ref: C/NL/00/10) was submitted by Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, Inc. (a DuPont subsidiary) as represented by Pioneer
Overseas Corporation, and by Mycogen Seeds, (a Dow AgroSciences
subsidiary).

-- Dossier submitted under Directive 90/220/EEC to the Spanish Competent
Authority in July 2001
-- Dossier updated under Dir 2001/18/EC in December 2002
-- Spanish Competent Authority issued a positive safety assessment in
August 2003:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/csnifs/C-ES-01-01_AssessmentReport.pdf
-- EFSA adopted a positive safety opinion on the dossier on 19 January
2005:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620771053.htm
-- The European Commission requested EFSA provide an additional opinion
in August 2006
-- Second positive opinion from EFSA, re-affirming its previous opinion
issued in November 2006:
-- Commissioner Dimas continues to delay approval by refusing to draft a
decision recommending approval based on positive safety opinion by
EFSA -- ongoing.

2. Summary of safety of 1507 maize:

"1507 maize meets the latest EU regulatory requirements, part of
which were the condition for the termination of the EU moratorium on
new GMO approvals":

-- 1507 maize meets all the latest EU safety evaluations
-- Bt has a long history of safe use for more than 40 years, including by
organic growers
-- The Cry1F and PAT proteins expressed in 1507 maize are not toxic or
allergenic to humans and animals
-- The Cry1F protein confers resistance to target insect pests and
reduces the need for spraying
-- 1507 maize contains no antibiotic resistance marker gene (Instead, the
PAT protein conferring tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicide was
used as the selectable genetic marker.)
-- 1507 maize poses no concerns with hybridisation with wild populations
in the EU
-- 1507 maize is substantially and nutritionally equivalent to, and as
safe as, conventional maize
-- No adverse environmental impact of 1507 maize compared to conventional
maize
Contact:
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business
Mr. Mike Hall
Communications Manager, Europe
Tel. +41-91-610-9063 (direct)
Mob. +41-79-755-8153
mike.hall@Pioneer.com

ots Originaltext: Pioneer Hi-Bred
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Mr. Mike Hall, Communications Manager, Europe, Pioneer Hi-Bred,
+41-91-610-9063, mobile, +41-79-755-8153, mike.hall@Pioneer.com


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