New engineered soybeans set for release

ST. LOUIS -- Monsanto Co. is set to release its first new strain of genetically engineered soybeans in more than a decade.

The world's largest biotech seed producer won regulatory approval for its new strain of Roundup Ready beans in the United States and Canada, the company announced Tuesday.

The new beans -- which have the brand name Roundup RReady2Yield -- are slated to go on sale in limited U.S. markets in 2009 and nationwide distribution in 2010, Monsanto spokeswoman Sara Duncan said.

The beans are similar to Monsanto's first strain of engineered seeds in that they are resistant to Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, but the new line is bred to increase bean yields between 7 and 11 percent, according to the company.

Because the U.S. soybean market is export-driven, Monsanto does not introduce new strains of engineered seeds until the crops are approved to be imported by key trading partners overseas, Duncan said.

Genetically engineered foods have been the focus of several trade fights as countries have tried to limits their import because of fears over the crops' safety and environmental impact. Monsanto has applied for import approval for the new beans in the European Union, China, Japan, Mexico and elsewhere, Duncan said.

Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans have been widely adopted by U.S. soybean farmers -- accounting for about 91 percent of all soybeans grown domestically, according to the American Soybean Association.

The trade group hailed the approval of the Roundup RReady2Yield soybean because of its promise to generate more soybeans on the same amount of land.

"Higher soybean yields increase the ability of U.S. soybean growers to supply food, feed, and fuel markets domestically and around the globe," ASA President John Hoffman said in a statement.

While the new beans don't possess any revolutionary traits, the strain will serve as a platform to introduce new crops that Monsanto is currently developing, like beans with drought resistance and healthier oil content, Duncan said.

Monsanto Chief Technology Officer Robb Fraley said the strain will likely be a centerpiece product for years to come.

"We anticipate that farmers who make the investment in Roundup RReady2Yield are getting more than just the benefits of this technology, they're gaining experience with the building block on which our platform of new soybean technologies will be built," Fraley said in a statement.