RR2Y Soybeans Approved In Japan, Taiwan, The Philippines

Monsanto Co.'s second-generation soybean technology, Roundup Ready 2 Yield (MON 89788) soybeans received final regulatory approval in Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, according to a company release.

"Importantly, this new soybean product is expected to offer farmers a novel way to get more yield out of a single acre of land, a critical step as farmers work to meet the growing food and fuel demands of our world," said Robert T. Fraley, Ph.D., chief technology officer, and executive vice president of Monsanto Co.

Last July, RR2Y soybeans completed the regulatory process in the US and Canada. The product is currently under scientific review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as well as regulatory authorities in China and other key markets.

Four years of field comparisons have demonstrated that RR2Y soybeans deliver a yield advantage of 7% to 11% over the first-generation Roundup Ready offering, the company said.

Monsanto is planning a controlled commercial release of RR2Y soybeans on 1 to 2 million acres in 2009,and is planning a full-scale launch of 5 to 6 million acres in 2010.