USSEC is pleased that Monsanto announced commercial launch plans for its Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ on February 3, after it received import approval from China. This technology is now available in the United States and Canada for the 2016 growing season.
The high-yielding germplasm in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans has been under development for a decade, according to Monsanto, with the intent to provide growers with improved performance. The company says that demand for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans has been strong with pre-orders from growers.
Although Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans are tolerant to both glyphosate and dicamba herbicides, the use of dicamba herbicide over the top of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans remains in late stage of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and is not currently approved by the EPA. Once approved, the Roundup Ready® Xtend™ Crop System will offer growers a vital tool for managing tough-to-control and glyphosate-resistant weeds.
USSEC is pleased that China has given final regulatory approval for the importation of this soybean trait.
Last year, China was U.S. Soy’s largest export customer, accounting for 68 percent of soybean exports from the United States. China’s population trend continues to urbanize, further growing the demand for U.S. Soy, which has worked for more than 35 years with the Chinese to build market demand for U.S. soybeans and soy products. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans are one of the key technologies that will help U.S. farmers meet the world’s growing demand for food, feed and fuel made from U.S. soybeans.
USSEC has carried out numerous missions to China on biotechnology issues to help build confidence in the safety of biotechnology while highlighting how this technology can enhance sustainable food security. USSEC has engaged the Chinese industry to talk with their government about potential supply problems; helps build confidence through programs such as its Farm Mom events; and together with the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the United Soybean Board (USB), partners with the International Soybean Growers Alliance (ISGA) to develop international partnerships that can provide support for biotech issues.