SmartStax corn receives import approvals for Korea, Taiwan

Monsanto Company and Dow AgroSciences say they have received import regulatory approvals from Korea and Taiwan for corn grain produced from SmartStax, a seed trait combination for the corn industry.

The food and feed safety of SmartStax corn was reviewed and approved by the Korean and Taiwan agencies charged with regulating biotech traits.

These two additional approvals follow the US, Canadian, and Japanese regulatory approvals announced by the companies in July 2009.

Grain produced from SmartStax corn can now be imported to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand among other countries.

“SmartStax’s multiple modes of action against insect pressure, enabling farmers to significantly lower their pesticide usage. The reduced refuge for above and below-ground pests also increases whole farm yield potential,” says Jerry Hjelle, Monsanto VP of Regulatory Affairs.