Monsanto Halts Introduction of GM Wheat

Monsanto Halts Introduction of GM Wheat

ST. LOUISMonsanto (www.monsanto.com)is realigning its research and development investments from introducing RoundupReady Wheat to accelerate the development of new and improved traits in corn,cotton and oilseeds, according to the company. Monsanto is deferring all furtherefforts to introduce the genetically modified (GM) wheat until other wheatbiotechnology traits are introduced. We will continue to monitor the wheatindustrys desire for crop improvements, via breeding and biotechnology, todetermine if and when it might be practical to move forward with a biotech wheatproduct, said Carl Casale, executive vice president of Monsanto. Thisdecision allows us to defer commercial development of Roundup Ready Wheat inorder to align with potential commercialization of other biotechnology traits inwheat, estimated to be four to eight years in the future. The company can nowincrease its research and emphasis on stress tolerance and several improvedhealth profile vegetable oil traits.

In related GM news, Eurofins (www.eurofins.com)and GeneScan developed a quantitative PCR test for Monsantos GM wheat,MON863, which, on April 19, had a positive assessment published by the EuropeanFood Safety Authority (EFSA); MON863 is traded under the names YieldGard Plusor MaxGard. Under new European Union (EU) regulations, passed April 18, foodand feed products must be labeled if the contents of authorized GMOs exceeds 0.9percent. GMOs without authorization are not allowed in feed and foodproducts. An exception exists for those GMOs that have been authorized by the ECScientific Committee before EU regulation 1830/2003/EC came into effect,according to Monsanto. Such GMOsincluding MON863are allowed up to 0.5percent in food and feed.