Monsanto Company Completes Divestiture of Stoneville and NexGen Businesses, Begins Combining Delta and Pine Land Business

ST. LOUIS, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company announced that it has completed its divestitures of the Stoneville and NexGen businesses. In line with today's announcement, Monsanto will immediately work to combine the Delta and Pine Land business with its existing operations and policies.

"We look forward to working with the tremendous people at Delta and Pine Land and continuing their tradition of delivering innovation to the farm," said Hugh Grant, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Monsanto Company.

"The Delta and Pine Land business will enable Monsanto's business to support the delivery of new innovation to cotton farmers and the cotton industry, and should increase the overall competitiveness of the U.S. cotton seed industry in the global marketplace," said Grant.

Monsanto also reaffirmed its existing policy not to develop or utilize sterile seed technology, such as the so-called "terminator" technology, to which Delta and Pine Land has rights.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.monsanto.com/.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits, including proceedings related to Solutia Inc.; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful completion and operation of recent and proposed acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.