WILMINGTON, Del., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a report today on the Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) 1 insect protection system that supported the first-ever corn rootworm integrated refuge in the bag.

A SAP review is one step in the EPA regulatory approval process. The SAP report is advisory in nature, focuses on specific technical questions posed to the panel by the EPA and does not represent a regulatory decision. The final regulatory decision will be made by the EPA later this year.

Integrated refuge in the bag is significant to American farmers because it simplifies corn rootworm refuge deployment and guarantees compliance. Though the panel did not recommend reducing corn rootworm refuge based on the data it reviewed, it did support considering additional data that will demonstrate the value of reduced corn rootworm refuge to growers and to trait durability.

"Advancing science is a dynamic process. On the whole, we are pleased with the review by the panel and their endorsement of the innovative integrated approach to corn rootworm refuge," said Paul E. Schickler, DuPont vice president and general manager and Pioneer president. "The Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) concept represents tremendous economic and environmental value to farmers. We believe the full body of evidence now before the EPA strongly supports a 2009 registration of Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) 1."

Upon regulatory approval, DuPont will introduce the first and only integrated corn rootworm refuge product in the marketplace that will provide growers the opportunity to reduce rootworm refuge acres, which has many economic and environmental benefits, including: increasing overall farm yields, reducing pesticide use and ensuring the durability of important insect protection traits by guaranteeing 100 percent compliance with corn rootworm refuge requirements.

Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) 1 insect protection is one of many innovations in advanced plant genetics from DuPont on the horizon that will bring increased value to farmers. Today, the DuPont approach to science is making a big difference in the lives of agricultural producers and fueling significant growth in the marketplace.

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.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM) and Optimum(R) AcreMax(TM) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Herculex(R) Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex(R) and the HX logo are registered trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.

For additional information about our company or our products, check our worldwide website: http://www.dupont.com/ and http://www.pioneer.com/.

  Contact:  Patrick Arthur
            515-334-6515
            patrick.arthur@bio1.dupont.com

Source: DuPont

CONTACT: Patrick Arthur of DuPont, +1-515-334-6515,
patrick.arthur@bio1.dupont.com

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