ST. LOUIS -- Monsanto Company today announced plans to vigorously defend itself against a baseless lawsuit filed by E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company in federal court in South Carolina; one of two lawsuits filed against Monsanto by DuPont this week.

"DuPont has sought to pressure Monsanto into changing its successful business practices by making reckless and unwarranted claims against Monsanto that we will in no way allow to stand," said Hendrik A. Verfaillie, President of Monsanto Company. "We absolutely will defend ourselves through all available avenues."

DuPont alleges that Monsanto is preventing it from competing in the marketplace. However last December, Monsanto entered into a supply agreement with DuPont that allows it to purchase glyphosate from Monsanto for use in DuPont herbicide mixtures and straight products in the United States. The agreement also granted certain rights for the use of DuPont straight glyphosate and glyphosate mixtures with Roundup Ready cotton.

"This is an attempt to destroy the relationships that Monsanto has worked years to cultivate with growers and agricultural wholesalers," said Verfaillie. "Our business practices have been extensively reviewed by legal counsel and we are confident that we are on solid ground."

The South Carolina suit was filed following two lawsuits which had been filed by Monsanto against Pioneer, a subsidiary of DuPont, seeking substantial damages and to terminate valuable licenses for Roundup Ready soybeans and canola and pest-protected corn.

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