National
DuPont Asserts Patent Infringement Against Monsanto
DuPont has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto for violating a United States patent protecting a novel seed production technique. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. federal court in the Southern District of Iowa. The patent listed in the lawsuit covers a DuPont technique that increases seed corn vigor to improve germination under stress.
DAS and M.S. Technologies Seek USDA Approval
Dow AgroSciences LLC and M.S. Technologies LLC have announced a collaborative submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the approval of the first-ever, three-gene herbicide-tolerant soybean. This new soybean event developed by the companies includes three herbicide tolerance genes stacked as part of a single genetic event in the soybean genome. These genes provide tolerance to DAS’ new 2,4-D product, glyphosate and glufosinate, which, when combined, make up the Enlist Weed Control System. The Enlist system will provide growers with a more effective combination of herbicides, traits in elite seed genetics, and stewardship programs that partner with and improve leading weed control systems.
International
Bayer Receives Argentine Approval for LL Soybeans
Bayer CropScience has received the final approval for its herbicide-tolerant soybean technology from the National Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. The Liberty Link technology conveys tolerance to the glufosinate-ammonium herbicide Liberty for effective, broad-spectrum weed control. Bayer plans to launch its first genetically modified soybeans in Argentina once further approvals for important stacked traits become available. Liberty Link will be combined with these traits and then launched in the forthcoming years.
DAS Receives International Patent Publication
Dow AgroSciences LLC has announced the publication of an international patent application for its lead commercial herbicide tolerance event in soybeans. The soybean event is part of DAS’ Enlist weed control system. The invention includes soybean plants made tolerant to 2,4-D herbicides by DAS’ novel transformation event and methods of using the soybean plants, as well as the 2,4-D herbicide to control glyphosate-resistant weeds. The patent application also includes stacking the event with other traits, including traits for tolerance to other herbicides and/or traits conferring insect-resistance in soybeans. DAS was previously granted patents for crops containing an Enlist 2,4-D tolerance trait in the United States, China, New Zealand and South Africa. DAS has filed for broad patent protection for its Enlist traits in major crop-growing countries around the world.
Canadian Government Passes Open Market Law
The Canadian government has passed the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, which gives western Canadian grain farmers the right to choose how they sell their wheat and barley. The legislation removes the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board and gives marketing choice to all farmers. Farmers will have the choice of whether to sell on an open market or through a voluntary CWB. The legislation allows an interim CWB to act as a voluntary marketing entity, supported by the federal government, while it transitions to full private ownership. The legislation also immediately allows farmers and companies to forward contract for the delivery of grain after August 1, 2012.
