NEWS
NON-CROP IN THE NEWS
Eradicating malaria – an excellent goal 
COMPANIES years. “Backed by the growing demand for
SEATTLE, USA October 17th 2007: Bill and Melinda our seed and trait products, our business
Gates call on global leaders to embrace “an audacious n Bayer CropScience has formed a long- is poised for significant organic growth
goal—to reach a day when no human being has term collaboration with the US trait and between now and the end of 2012,” Grant
malaria and no mosquito on earth is carrying it.”
technology provider, M S Technologies said .
They delivered the call to action at a forum of 300 leading malaria scientists
(West Point, Iowa), and the soybean
and policymakers from around the world on 17 October. “We have a real chance
breeder, Mertec (West Point, Iowa), n The US company, Tessenderlo Kerley
to build the partnerships, generate the political will, and develop the scientific
to develop a new range of genetically Inc (TKI – Phoenix, Arizona), has acquired
breakthroughs we need to end this disease,” said Bill Gates. “We will not stop
modified herbicide-tolerant soybeans. The the kaolin-based insect repellent and
working until malaria is eradicated.”
products will be aimed initially at the US crop protectant, Surround, from BASF.
Dr Margaret Chan, director general of the WHO, also addressed the forum and
market, with the opportunity to expand to Global development and marketing will be
called on the delegates “to make it work in the interest of humanity”, adding
other soybean-growing countries. The first carried out by TKI’s crop protection unit,
“I dare you to come along with us.” Strong, deliberate words from the Bill and
products are expected to be on the market NovaSource. Surround was developed by
Melinda Gates Foundation and true leadership.
in six to ten years. Engelhard in collaboration with the USDA
and introduced in 1999. It is registered for
Twice before in Agrow Magazine I have focused on the Bill and Melinda Gates
n The EU’s agricultural policy, and use in 20 countries. The business is worth
Foundation. In September 2006, I outlined the work of the Foundation, its focus
its approach to agrochemicals and less than US$10 million.
on malaria control and the potential for research, development and supply of
genetically modified crops, is driving its
products to control the mosquito vectors of malaria. In March 2007, I commented
biggest pesticide companies away. The n Bayer CropScience’s crop protection
on the emerging ‘Gates effect’, highlighting a growing interest in understanding
warning comes from Syngenta chairman sales rose by 13% to €985 million
and profiling mosquito markets. Since then, in June 2007, the joint report from
Mark Taylor and echoes concerns (US$1,354 million) in the third quarter
the Foundation and the Boston Consulting Group: ‘Market Assessment for Public
voiced last year over the reform of the of 2007. Like-for-like sales, discounting
Health Pesticide Products’ was published. Among its conclusions it notes, “The
EU agrochemical registration Directive currency and portfolio effects, were up
market is strong and active, but this is countered as there remain many hurdles
(91/414)). Taylor spoke at the EU’s by 14.8%. Higher prices for agricultural
that limit its attractiveness and so discourage suppliers from developing a
High Level Conference on Business commodities, larger areas of biofuel
continuing stream of novel products.” But the report also focuses on the positive
& Biodiversity in Lisbon, Portugal, in crops, and an improved Latin American
conclusion: “To address the problem properly, the global health community
November. “Syngenta now does all its most market boosted sales, Bayer management
needs to make an accelerated and coordinated effort.”
advanced research in the US, and China board chairman Werner Wenning says.
In October, I attended an independent seminar at the BCPC conference in will be next,” warned Taylor. He highlighted The circumstances particularly benefited
Glasgow which was presented by the International Vector Control Consortium the EU’s “lack of progress” towards a Bayer’s fungicides, insecticides and seed
(IVCC). This is an academic organization, created and funded to the tune of “knowledge-based economy” as outlined treatments in the quarter.
US$50million by the Gates Foundation. The IVCC is a consortium of five leading
in the EU’s 2000 Lisbon Agenda. Research
institutions: The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the London School of
and development efforts are constrained
Bayer’s crop protection
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Colorado State University, University of California
by strict EU regulations or national bans on
sales by category
at Davis and the Medical Research Council, South Africa. The IVCC has as its goal
research, such as GM crop field trials.
(€ million)
“To improve health by enabling partnerships for the accelerated development
3rd qtr ended 30 Sept
and delivery of new products and tools that increase the effectiveness and
n A good performance from Monsanto’s
efficiency of the control of insects which transmit disease.” I am sure in 2008
2006 % 2007
Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide and
change
we can expect to hear more from the leaders of the IVCC their presentation, like
maize seed business in Latin America has
the statements from the Foundation, was clear and powerful.
Herbicides 310 –1.3 306
resulted in a “very strong” start to the
Insecticides 267 + 5.2 281
As an industry we need to create the opportunities in 2008 for companies to
company’s financial year, says Monsanto
Fungicides 152 + 27.6 194
bring forward novel vector control technologies from new chemical actives and
chairman, president and CEO Hugh Grant.
The company expects to post earnings of
Seed
biopesticides through to sterile insect techniques. We need new technology that
treatments 143 +42.7 204
improves efficacy from formulation to application, but more than just technology
USUS$0.35/share in the three months to
Total 872 +13.0 985
as there is scope to propose novel supply chains and routes to market, along with
30 November, which would be more than
the chance to challenge current practice that prevent the effective tools of vector double the USUS$0.16/share recorded in
management being applied where it matters; in malaria infested areas. Let us the first quarter of fiscal 2007. The strong
Nine months
play our full part as an industry in supporting the goal of malaria eradication. start to the year has allowed Monsanto to Herbicides 1,379 –1.9 1,353
raise its earnings guidance for fiscal 2008
Insecticides 932 –2.9 905
Contact: rob@xenexassociates.com 
to the “upper end” of its earlier forecast
www.xenexassociates.com
Fungicides 882 + 9.2 963
of USUS$2.20-2.40/share. Grant revealed
Seed
Xenex Associates is a UK-based, international company providing strategic and the new guidance at Monsanto’s biennial
treatments 361 +27.4 460
commercial services to a broad range of companies and organisations in non-
investor meeting, where executives
crop markets. Xenex Associates is a partner in PestBusiness.com.
Total 3,554 +3.6 3,681
outlined growth plans for the next five
 January 2008  •  www.agrow.com
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