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ST. LOUIS, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Another key regulatory milestone has been achieved as one of the most anticipated U.S. soybean technologies approaches commercialization. Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today it has received regulatory approval in the European Union for the importation of Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) soybeans. This approval follows the European Food Safety Authority's positive scientific opinion in July concluding Roundup Ready 2 Yield is safe for import as food and feed.

The European Union imports accounted for approximately 10 percent of U.S. soybean exports in 2007, making it a significant purchaser of U.S. soybeans.

"The European Union regulatory approval demonstrates the growing acceptance of Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans throughout the world," said Brett Begemann, Monsanto's executive vice president of global commercial business. "As we look to deliver on our commitment to double yield by 2030, Roundup Ready 2 Yield is critical. This trait is important not only for its weed control and yield benefits, but because it serves as the platform for future soybean technologies that will deliver additional value to farmers and others."

Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are the next generation of the popular Roundup Ready(R) technology farmers have used in soybeans since 1996. This product offers the same effective weed control, simplicity and flexibility benefits of the Roundup Ready system and it significantly increases soybean yield potential.

In four years of testing, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have demonstrated a consistent yield advantage of 7 to 11 percent over Roundup Ready soybeans. The four-year average yield increase of Roundup Ready 2 Yield over its first-generation counterpart was 9 percent. On Tuesday, Monsanto expects to release 2008 field performance data as part of Chief Technology Officer Robb Fraley's presentation at the Canaccord Adams Conference in Toronto.

Monsanto's Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans will be introduced on 1 million to 2 million U.S. acres for the 2009 season as part of a controlled commercial release, followed by a large-scale product launch of 5 million to 6 million U.S. acres scheduled for 2010.

Such approvals are important for ensuring successful biotechnology product launches, as they allow U.S. farmers to more broadly market their grain. Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans have been approved as safe for food and feed in 10 countries and regions -- the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and Taiwan. These countries and regions import the vast majority of U.S. soybean exports, providing U.S. farmers access to a broad market for their grain.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com.

Monsanto Company is a member of BIO's Excellence Through Stewardship(SM) (ETS) Initiative. This product has been commercialized in compliance with the ETS and Monsanto Product Launch Stewardship policies, after meeting applicable regulatory requirements in key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Monsanto encourages growers to talk to their grain handler to confirm their buying position for this product.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready(R) crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides. Roundup(R) agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) is a trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC.