In part because Roundup Ready wheat adds value for only a segment of spring wheat growers, resulting in "a lack of widespread wheat industry alignment," Monsanto today announced it is realigning research and development investments, deferring all further efforts to introduce Roundup Ready wheat until other wheat biotechnology traits are introduced. Carl Casale, executive vice president of Monsanto, told reporters this morning the decision makes economic sense for the company due to a shift away from spring wheat plantings since 1997.
Economic opportunity is responsible for the decision first and foremost, Casale said. They will redirect their research efforts toward the development of new and improved traits in corn, cotton, and oilseeds which are increasingly being grown in rotation with wheat.
This decision was reached after a comprehensive review of Monsanto's research investment portfolio and extensive consultation with customers in the wheat industry, the company said.
"We will continue to monitor the wheat industry's desire for crop improvements, via breeding and biotechnology, to determine if and when it might be practical to move forward with a biotech wheat product," says Casale.
"This decision allows us to defer commercial development of Roundup Ready wheat, in order to align with the potential commercialization of other biotechnology traits in wheat, estimated to be four to eight years in the future."
Monsanto says it will discontinue breeding and field level research of Roundup Ready wheat. The company will be working with regulators around the world to take appropriate next steps with regard to regulatory submissions.
Overall, Monsanto's biotechnology research and development focuses on providing new solutions in the areas of yield improvement and stress tolerance, agronomic pest resistance traits, and food and feed improvement traits.
"We have pipeline products like Roundup Ready Flex for cotton and an improved soybean oil for food manufacture rs from our conventional breeding program that are moving close to
commercialization," said Casale. "We also saw good results in our field trials for drought tolerant corn in 2003, and we will be expanding our field trials in 2004."
Monsanto will carry out its obligations with Roundup Ready wheat plots planted in North Dakota, and will honor existing research agreements with North and South Dakota State Universities, but they won't be moving further ahead.
When asked about plans for Canada, where Roundup Ready wheat is working its way through the regulatory approval process, Casale said, "Our position in Canada will be the same." 05/10/2004 09:47 a.m.CDTAgriculture Online:
