DuPont Forms Advisory Committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century

Tom Daschle to Chair Committee Focused on Meeting the World's Growing Demands

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Feb 11, 2010, 10:30 ET

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced the creation of an advisory committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century, chaired by former U.S. Senator Thomas A. Daschle, as part of the company's focus to meet the world's increasing demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel. Agriculture crosses DuPont's core goals of meeting the increasing demand for food productivity; protecting people and the environment; decreasing dependence of fossil fuels; and supporting the growth of emerging markets. Among other initiatives, the advisory committee will build upon existing research, while examining the best public-policy mechanisms to ensure that by 2050 the world's farmers will have the tools to increase current agricultural production in order to fill the looming global food needs.

"The world is facing increasing demands on its limited resources, while the global population continues to grow. It is critical that we find sustainable, science-based solutions that work for both the planet and for the global farming community," said DuPont Executive Vice President James C. Borel, who leads the company's production agriculture businesses Pioneer Hi-Bred and Crop Protection. "DuPont looks forward to working with Senator Daschle and the advisory committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century as we confront the growing global demands for food, feed, fuel and fiber through agricultural innovation."

"The world's population is expected to grow to more than 9 billion people by 2050. As a result, agricultural innovation and any successful solution to the threatened food gap must empower scientific and technological advances; an open competitive marketplace; collaboration among researchers, farmers, governments and corporations; governmental leadership; and the global farming community," said Daschle, who represented South Dakota in the Senate and served as Senate Majority leader.

The advisory committee, chartered today, will meet with DuPont's senior leadership, including Borel and Pioneer President Paul E. Schickler. The advisory committee will present its public-policy recommendations to DuPont in March, 2011. The committee will be supported by ex-officio member Dean Oestreich, former Pioneer chairman, among others who will be named in the coming weeks.

DuPont has a strong history of agriculture innovation and sustainability, entering into a period where farmers will see the largest gains ever from its research. Through its Pioneer Hi-Bred business, DuPont expects to increase yields by 40 percent in corn and soybeans over the next decade with advances in trait development.

Pioneer Hi-Bred is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments or new information. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.

SOURCE DuPont