Monsanto Bags Plans For Roundup Ready Wheat

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, May 11, 2004 (ENS) - "Biotech giant Monsanto announced Monday that it is realigning its research and development investments and halting all further efforts to introduce genetically modified (GM) wheat.

Monsanto has been developing a GM strain of hard red spring wheat called Roundup Ready. The strain has been modified to tolerate application of a Monsanto herbicide known as Roundup. But the strain has drawn widespread opposition by U.S. and Canadian farmers as well as a vocal group of public interest groups who oppose GM crops.

Many agricultural interests are concerned that some countries have indicated they would not allow imports of the GM wheat and fear its introduction could cause economic hardship for all North American wheat farmers. Monsanto began the technical development stage of Roundup Ready wheat in 1997.

The company said it is deferring efforts to introduce the seed until other wheat biotechnology traits are introduced and will discontinue breeding and field level research of Roundup Ready wheat. Company officials say the decision was reached after a comprehensive review of Monsanto's research investment portfolio and extensive consultation with customers in the wheat industry."

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