DuPont Relying On Monsanto's Proven Technology In Attempt To Repair Optimum(R) GAT(R) Problems ST. LOUIS, May 5, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced that it filed suit yesterday in federal court in St. Louis against E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., to prevent unlawful use of Monsanto's proprietary Roundup Ready(R) herbicide tolerant technologies in soybeans and corn. "As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," said Hugh Grant, Monsanto Chief Executive Officer. "However, unlawfully taking technology is neither imitation nor flattery; it is unethical and wrong. A true technology company respects patents and its contractual agreements and delivers new products through its own innovation and honest collaboration. DuPont has failed on all counts." Pioneer, like hundreds of other seed companies, has the right to sell soybeans and corn with the Roundup Ready trait. For several years, Pioneer publicly touted plans to replace Monsanto's Roundup Ready trait with DuPont's claimed glyphosate tolerant Optimum(R) GAT(R) trait. However, Pioneer has recently admitted that the Optimum GAT trait when used alone presents unacceptable risks to farmers. In an effort to repair these deficiencies, Pioneer is misusing the Roundup Ready trait to mask problems with their Optimum GAT trait. This violates Monsanto's contract rights and U.S. patents. This suit insists that DuPont honor their agreements and respect patented technologies. This is not the first time that Monsanto has had to file litigation against Pioneer for breaches of their contractual obligations with Monsanto. In a previous case involving Monsanto's YieldGard(R) Corn Borer trait, it was determined by the Court that Pioneer had breached its license and improperly used Monsanto's patented technology. After that case, in which Monsanto prevailed, an agreement was reached in which Pioneer was able to continue licensed use of Monsanto's technology. As in this previous case, Monsanto is confident once again that it will prevail. True inventions will be critical to meeting future global food demand. Experts now predict our planet will need to double agricultural output by 2050 to feed a growing population. Protecting inventions and respecting contracts are critical to driving broad investment to meet this challenge. Monsanto's investment in innovation is clear and consistent. It is presently delivering to farmers two game-changing technologies that will help achieve higher yields, in Genuity(TM) Roundup Ready 2 Yield(TM) in soybeans and SmartStax(TM) in corn. 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/ . Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results. CONTACT: Media: Ben Kampelman (314-694-6192) Investors: Scarlett Foster (314-694-8148) DATASOURCE: Monsanto CONTACT: Media, Ben Kampelman, +1-314-694-6192, or Investors, Scarlett Foster, +1-314-694-8148, both of Monsanto Web Site: http://www.monsanto.com/

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