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Roundup Ready soybeans gain EU import approval

The European Commission has granted import approval for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans. The move will allow the product to be imported into the European Union and used for food and feed purposes.  Monsanto Technical Agronomist Lance Tarochione reacted on behalf of the company and growers who’ve waited months for the approval.

“It’s going to be a good Friday,” Tarochione told Brownfield Ag News on Friday.

The company had hoped to have approval in time for growers to plant the technology this season, said Tarochione.

“When we didn’t get [approval] by planting we were very confident we’d have it by harvest,” he said, “but there were a lot of farmers that were kind of in a I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it mode, so it’s very exciting for us today, and I think it’s a great day not only for us, but also for soybean growers.”

The Roundup Ready 2 Xtend trait includes tolerance to dicamba and glyphosate.  Monsanto is still waiting for EPA approval of in-crop use of dicamba in the US.  Monsanto marketing manager Miriam Paris says that approval is expected by late summer or early fall.

Monsanto President Brett Begemann says there’s demand among farmers for the soybean technology.  With EU approval, as well as approval in Chinese markets earlier this year, Begemann says Monsanto can meet that demand.

AUDIO: Lance Tarochione (4 min. MP3)