Pledge will help sustain endangered global plant genetic resources, biodiversity -

DuPont today announced a pledge of $1 million to the Global Crop Diversity Trust (the Trust), an international fund charged with securing long-term funding for the support of genebanks -- storage facilities for plant germplasm -- and crop diversity collections around the world.

Formed in 2002 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the 16 Future Harvest Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research, the Trust has been charged with raising a $260 million endowment to maintain the world's most critical germplasm for agricultural and industrial crops as well as support struggling collections - especially those in developing countries.

DuPont's gift will be allocated in equal installments, beginning in 2004 through 2007, to improve plant genetic storage facilities, increase staffing, build capacity, and support the basic costs of conservation. The crop collections to be supported by the Trust are available to public and private plant breeders and farmers under the terms of an International Treaty on Plant Genetic resources, adopted in 2001. A key objective is to encourage crop research and development and assure an abundant and affordable food supply in the future.

DuPont hopes its contribution to the Trust will help spark dialogue about the importance of preserving genetic resources in addition to facilitating the development of new crop genetics that will bring greater value to farmers and improved products to consumers said Erik Fyrwald, group vice president, DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition.

"The world's crop genetic diversity is endangered. Efforts to conserve it must be increased before the backbone of our food supply is significantly diminished," said Fyrwald. "Partnerships that foster public preservation of genetic resources are absolutely critical to assuring greater opportunities for sustainable agriculture to keep pace with the world's growing population. The future of agriculture, farm economies and industrial society will continue to be dependent on conserving diversity from the reservoir of current and historical plant crop varieties. If those resources are neglected, they will be lost forever."

Global Importance of Biodiversity

According to the World Resources Institute, by 2050 it is predicted that the world's population will reach 9 billion -- increasing by an estimated 80 million people per year -- with 98 percent of the projected growth occurring in developing countries. In order to produce enough food to feed these inhabitants, food outputs must roughly double within the next 50 years.

Dr. Geoff Hawtin, interim executive secretary, Global Crop Diversity Trust, contends plant genetic diversity is the raw material needed to help farmers successfully address challenges such as evolving pests and diseases, changing climates, limited arable land, natural disasters and civil conflict.

"When a crop variety goes extinct, all of the valuable information within it dies with it," said Hawtin. "Conserving crop genetic diversity ensures the continuing safety and availability of the raw data from which we can develop and enhance seeds. The conservation of crop diversity protects a key component of the world's agricultural heritage."

While biotechnology, genomics, proteomics and traditional breeding techniques are useful tools for producing the seeds of the future, it's important to remember that none of these tools would be as effective without access to historical genetic diversity.

"For the past 10,000 years it has been the creative use of our rich plant genetic resources that has enabled the development of improved seed varieties that thrive in ever-changing environments," said Hawtin. "Crop genetic diversity and science work hand-in-hand to create improved seeds. It is evident from this generous gift that DuPont understands the fundamental, societal benefits that biological diversity provides."

Endangered Genetic Resources

A study conducted by the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Imperial College, London, shows that a large portion of the world's collections of crop diversity is in danger of being lost. The study found that many genebanks cannot afford storage equipment, electricity or the staff to properly maintain seeds within their collections.

This comes at a time when crop diversity is steadily diminishing in the wild. More than 37 million acres of tropical forest are lost each year, and some experts estimate that as much as 8 percent of plant species could disappear in the next 25 years. What's more, over the past 50 years, new uniform crop varieties have replaced thousands of native varieties.

Genebanks distribute hundreds of thousands of samples from their collections each year to scientists, breeders and farmers all over the world as part of research and crop improvement efforts. DuPont, like others within the seed industry, recognizes that the conservation of crop diversity in genebanks is more than a warehousing exercise, and hopes that more organizations will support the conservation of one of the world's most precious natural resources. With the largest library of well-adapted, high-performing plant genetics, DuPont has long understood how vital germplasm is to bringing greater value to farmers.

DuPont and Biodiversity

In addition to collaborations with the Trust and other biodiversity preservation organizations around the world, DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., has dedicated more than 75 years to preserving and utilizing plant diversity to produce high-performing plant genetics to bring greater value to farmer customers.

As part of DuPont's commitment to conserving and promoting biodiversity, the company recently sent a message to seed industry leaders specifically outlining the importance of and benefits derived from preserving crop genetic diversity. Within that message, DuPont also highlighted how the company has and will continue to conduct business to improve, protect and conserve crop genetic resources to promote sustainable agriculture.

"As we strive to do our part to support the conservation of biodiversity, we're also asking other companies and associations to do the same," said Fyrwald. "Unique germplasm is the single biggest factor in helping farmers manage their production risks. Farmers should be able to make informed decisions about the seed products they are planting each year to ensure they are genetically unique. That information is imperative to make the best management decisions for their business."

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is an international fund whose goal is to support the conservation of crop diversity over the long term. The establishment of the Trust has involved an historic and unprecedented partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the 16 Future Harvest Centres of the Consultative Group on International Research. The Global Crop Diversity Trust aims to match the long term nature of conservation needs with long term secure and sustainable funding by creating an endowment that will provide a permanent source of funding for globally important crop diversity collections.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers, and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions, and quality crop systems to customers. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparelxx