PCT Online - http://www.pctonline.com/news/news.asp?ID=2099

September 9, 2003

Dow's ProFume Gas Fumigant Approved for Use in Switzerland

ProFume, Dow AgroSciences replacement for methyl bromide, has received its first ever full commercial approval. The Swiss authorities have cleared sulfuryl fluoride for use as a space fumigant in empty flour mills, food storage facilities and grain silos. The data package was submitted in September 2002.

As an ozone depleter, methyl bromide is being phased-out under the Montreal Protocol. This early approval of ProFume in Switzerland, well ahead of the 1 January 2005 phase-out date, will allow fumigators to make a smooth transition from the old to the new technology. Indeed, the first commercial fumigation of a medium sized flour mill has already been successfully completed at Fa. Meyerhans Hotz Ag, Malters, Luzern.

Healthy progress is also being made towards achieving Annex I listing in the EU with the Pesticides Safety Directorate in York acting as rapporteur. It is anticipated that provisional approval will be achieved in the UK, France, Germany and Italy in 2004. In addition, the company is seeking to register sulfuryl fluoride in Australia and the USA. Data supporting the use of sulfuryl fluoride in dried fruit and tree nuts is included in these packages.

Label extensions will follow the initial approvals and work has begun to collect the data necessary to register sulfuryl fluoride as a grain fumigant.