Crop Protection Portfolio Strengthened by Further Biological Product: Bayer CropScience Acquires Biofungicide from AgroGreen

by Bayer CropScience

Shemer protects fruit and vegetables against diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Photo courtesy of Bayer CropScience. Monheim – Bayer CropScience is adding the biofungicide Shemer to its portfolio of classic crop protection products. The company has now completed the acquisition of certain assets and technologies relating to biological development products of AgroGreen in Ashdod, Israel. This move follows the acquisition by Bayer CropScience in March last year of AgroGreen products which will be marketed under the brand names BioNem and Votivo® (containing the active ingredient (Bacillus firmus.) Shemer is based on the micro-organism Metschnikowia fructicola, a kind of yeast. It is an antagonist which protects fruit and vegetables against diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Bayer CropScience intends to pursue integrated solutions based on Shemer to develop new and innovative components for sustainable production. This will help farmers to meet the growing need for affordable, high-quality food products. AgroGreen, a business unit of the Minrav Group, is among the leading suppliers of bionematicides and biofungicides. Applied pre- and post-harvest, Shemer helps to protect many different crops. It prevents infection and the development of many fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, Botrytis, Rhizopus and Sclerotinia. They can cause rot and thus lead to substantially reduced yields and quality. Shemer can be applied flexibly in mixtures with fertilizers and crop protection products. Further advantages are the fact that the product remains effective for a long time under a wide variety of climatic conditions, leaves no residues in crops, and is safe for beneficial insects. Shemer is currently approved in Israel for use in grapes, citrus fruit, pome and stone fruit, and strawberries. The first registrations in Europe are expected in 2013. Shemer was discovered by Dr. Samir Droby, who found a way to isolate a unique strain of yeast. Dr. Droby is a scientist at the Volcani Center, part of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) of the Ministry of Agriculture in Israel. About Bayer CropScience Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.4 billion (2008), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of about 18,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

Editor's Note: Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.