FEATURE
IN THE NEWS
the second round of a competitive fruit and vegetables. Non-selective for reviewing metalaxyl to June n Research-based and generic
bid process for the target and is herbicides were 36% ahead at CER 30th 2010 have been approved by pesticide companies are becoming
under a confidentiality agreement and selective herbicide sales were the EU Standing Committee on the less distinct as they face similar
prohibiting it from disclosing 9% higher. Insecticide sales were Food Chain and Animal Health. The regulatory requirements under the
details of the target or bid process. up by 5% at CER, compared with move follows a European Court of EU agrochemical registration
last year’s weak performance. Justice (ECJ) ruling earlier this year Directive (91/414). Terry Tooby,
n A US federal appeals court that overturned the Commission’s regulatory affairs director at UK
has upheld a lower court’s ruling EUROPE 2003 decision not to reregister consultancy JSC International,
that Syngenta has not violated metalaxyl.The ECJ ruling was in highlighted the trend at the
Monsanto’s patents in the n The European Parliament response to an appeal by Spanish AgChemForum conference
commercialisation of genetically has called on the European agrochemical company Industrias in September. Both types of
modified glyphosate tolerant GA21 Commission to involve pesticide Químicas del Valles (Barcelona) company face the same EU data
maize. Last year, the Delaware manufacturers in efforts to against the Commission’s handling requirements for registering off-
District Court ruled that the claims reduce agrochemical use and of the initial review of metalaxyl. patent products under Directive
of Monsanto’s “Shah” patent (No has urged greater cooperation 91/414. The difference lies in the
4,940,835) were invalid and that with the EU’s neighbours in the source of data used to support
the claims of the “Lundquist” use of pesticides. The calls were the dossier and the quantity of
patents (Nos 5,538,880 and made in a resolution adopted supporting data, Tooby noted. The
6,013,863) were not infringed. “We in October by the Parliament generic company has to be aware
are extremely pleased that the on the Commission’s proposed of which studies are still covered
appeals court has confirmed our thematic strategy on sustainable by data protection rights and
right to sell Agrisure GT to US corn pesticide use. It followed voting whether access has been granted.
growers,” says Syngenta Seeds the day before on a proposed n The European Commission is
chief operating officer Mike Mack. pesticide use directive, which finally free to go ahead with its n France has “suspended” the
would implement the strategy, demand that Austria lift its ban cultivation of all genetically
n Strong sales across all regions and on a planned revision of the on two EU-approved genetically modified crops in a surprising
and product categories boosted EU agrochemical registration modified maize lines. At a and highly criticized turnaround
Syngenta’s crop protection sales by Directive. meeting at the end of October, in policy. When presenting the
19.4% to US$1,436 million in the EU Environment Ministers failed country’s new environmental
third quarter of 2007. At constant n The European Commission is to to reach the qualified majority policy, the Grenelle de
exchange rates (CER), third-quarter permit EU member states to once required to accept or reject the l’Environment, President Nicolas
sales rose by 16%. Third-quarter again approve products containing Commission’s proposed action Sarkozy gave precautionary
fungicide sales increased by 28% the fungicide, metalaxyl, and to against bans on import and reasons for the move. He
at CER due to higher demand in restart the review process for the processing of the maize. The expressed doubts about the
major markets, following Europe’s active ingredient. Commission outcome leaves the Commission importance or relevance of GM
“exceptional” disease pressure in proposals to extend the deadline able to rubber stamp its own crops. Meanwhile, over half of
proposals. European plantings of French respondents to a survey
Syngenta’s agchem sales by region (US$ million)
genetically modified crops totaled view genetically modified crops
110,077 ha this year, up by 77% on as safeguarding agricultural
3rd qtr ended
30 Sept 2006 % change 2007
2006, reports the biotechnology competitiveness. The study,
industry association, EuropaBio. conducted by the national seed
Europe, Africa & Middle East 382 +18.3 452
Seven EU member states grew association, the GNIS, and
NAFTA 303 +11.9 339
insect-resistant Bt maize, the the national maize growers’
Latin America 308 +33.8 412
only GM crop authorised for association, the AGPM, questioned
Asia/Pacific 210 +11.0 233
commercial cultivation in the 1,000 people on their views on GM
Total 1,203 +19.4 1,436
region. Spain had the largest area crops. Some 52% of respondents
Nine months of GM crops. Plantings rose by supported the contention.
Europe, Africa & Middle East 1,834 +15.8 2,123 40% to 75,148 ha. The French GM
NAFTA 1,882 + 2.8 1,935
crop area quadrupled to 21,174 REST OF WORLD
Latin America 635 +35.6 861
ha, although future sowings are in
Asia/Pacific 768 + 6.8 820
doubt after the move in October by n The US EPA’s Office of Pesticide
the French President to suspend Programs (OPP) granted approvals
Total 5,119 +12.1 5,739
the cultivation of GM crops. or tolerances for 12 new active
 December 2007  •  www.agrow.com
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