MONSANTO COMPANY

1
MONSANTO COMPANY
Is now a leading global provider of agricultural
products and integrated solutions that bring
together chemicals, seeds, and biotechnology
traits to improve farm productivity and food
quality. Leading provider in the field of Bt Corn
2
About Us

• Company began in 1901
• 5.5 Billion annually
• 14, 500 employees in 380 locations
• Europe/Africa
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• North America
• Our Mission
• Meet worlds growing needs
• Conserve natural resources
• Protect the environment

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MON 810- YieldGard

• MON 810
• Contains Cry 1 Ab protein
• Protein binds to receptors in mid-gut of targeted
  insects
• Rapidly degraded in soil
• Safe to humans, animals , non-target organisms
• Poses no environmental concerns
• 20 years of testing before EPA approved

4
Other Strains of Bt Corn

• Bt 111
• Other widely used strain of Bt corn
• Not proven to kill Monarchs under field
  conditions
• Event 176
• Produces Bt protein only in green tissues and
  pollen
• Toxic conc. 50 to 100 times greater
• Will be withdrawn from market
• May have given all Bt corn a bad reputation

5
Financial Benefits of MON 810

• 10.5 bushels per acre more than those not using
  YieldGard
• Reduces amount of insecticide used
• Improves grain quality
• National benefit to growers of 65.4 million
• Estimated annual benefit 38-219 million

6
Protection of MON 810 against the European Corn
Borer

• Most damaging insect pest of corn throughout US
• -Losses of crop and control costs exceed 1
  billion annually
• 25 bushels per acre lost
• MON 810- 99 control of 1st generation
• 93 control of southwestern corn borer
• Neighboring fields also benefit

7
Safety of MON 810 with non-target organisms

• Risks to Monarchs is negligible
• Earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, bacteria, and
  fungi are not affected by Bt toxins
• Toxins were not taken up from soil
• Year after crops not affected

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How does this affect me?

• Corn processed into
• Corn flakes
• Soft drinks
• Jelly beans
• Baby foods
• Tooth paste
• Crayons
• Baby diapers
• Cosmetics
• pharmaceuticals
• Approximately 80 of all corn grown in US feeds
• Livestock
• Poultry
• Fish

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How Bt corn satisfies our mission

• Meet worlds growing needs by providing more food
  to more people worldwide
• Reduces use of insecticides
• Saves growers money
• Cuts down on time and energy used
• Safe to environment- promotes diversity