*Monsanto Drops Genetically Engineered Wheat*

*Greenpeace Declares Victory for the Environment, Farmers and Consumers*


  Toronto, Canada, May 10, 2004- Greenpeace today declared victory for
  the environment with the announcement by Monsanto that they would
  suspend further development or open field trials of its genetically
  engineered, Roundup Ready wheat.

“This is a victory for the environment, farmers and consumers” said Pat 
Venditti, Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner. “Strong rejection 
of GE wheat from virtually every corner of the globe once again showed 
the resistance to GE foods.”

Monsanto announced this morning that they will defer all further efforts 
to introduce Roundup Ready wheat, and that they will discontinue 
breeding and field level research of the crop. This follows a similar 
announcement from 2003 in which the company announced its withdrawal 
from development of pharmaceutical crops.

“Let’s hope GE wheat permanently joins GE flax, GE tomatoes, and GE 
potatoes in the dustbin of bad ideas. Rather than having to restage this 
battle in four years time, we hope that Monsanto has heard loud and 
clear that genetically engineered wheat is a non-starter,” continued Mr. 
Venditti. “The Canadian Government should make a note of this and 
re-think it’s devotion to this unnecessary technology.”

According to the Canadian Wheat Board, eighty-seven percent of Canadian 
wheat buyers now require non-GE certification of wheat. In a survey of 
countries willing to accept GE wheat by the US Department of 
Agriculture, only four- Peru, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Yemen- said they 
would buy it.

Monsanto’s announcement is available at: www.monsanto.com

For more information, contact

*Pat Venditti, Greenpeace Canada Genetic Engineering Campaigner, +1 416 
597 8408, ext. 3017, mobile +1 416 450 2439*

*Dan Hindsgaul, Greenpeace International, +45 28 10 9021*

*Mhairi Dunlop, Greenpeace International Media Officer, +31 646 2336 98*