Monheim, May 28, 2012
At the World Potato Congress 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bayer CropScience presents its first-class product portfolio and comprehensive knowledge in the field of application technology to demonstrate the role as one of the leading providers of potato solutions. Experts from the company are showcasing innovative solutions for potatoes such as the recently registered Emesto™. “From seed to shelf, we create superior customer value with our products and services, including highly-effective seed treatment offerings, top crop protection solutions and services”, says Dr. Rüdiger Scheitza, Member of the Board of Management and Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer CropScience in his speech to the audience.

The World Potato Congress, organized by the Potato Council of the UK, takes place every three years. It will provide a unique opportunity for around 1,000 growers and the whole industry as well as scientists around the globe to share information and uncover vital new knowledge. With regard to food security the potato plays a major role as the third largest food crop after wheat and rice: according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), global potato production in 2010 was over 320 million tons, with around 30 percent of this total being produced in India and China, a trend that is on the increase.

Bayer CropScience’s extensive offering, based on modern crop protection solutions, will be rounded out with advice on cultivating and marketing of high-quality potatoes. Company’s experts are presenting successful Food Chain Partnership projects. “Our strong reputation in food chain partnerships is based on our ability to bring together potato growers, traders and retailers. We create a solid sustainability trail of fresh and processed produce contributing to effective and safe solutions across the world.” says Dr. Rüdiger Scheitza. Two projects where the company is collaborating with PepsiCo in Chile and India demonstrate sustainable potato production and the role of Bayer CropScience as a reliable partner for the national and international potato trade.

Four innovative product solutions: Emesto™, Infinito™, Movento™, Luna™

The new seed treatment product EMESTO™ (active ingredient: penflufen) is a high performer to control tuber and soilborn diseases (Rhizoctonia, Helminthosporium) resulting in significant higher quality and increased marketable yield. Emesto™ treated seed potatoes produce high quality potatoes with optimum grading, higher starch content and perfect skin setting which perfectly reflects the high quality demands of the seed potatoes’ producers, processors and the fresh table potato markets. The product represents a new seed treatment generation to increase plant health and yield potential of potatoes based on sustainability principles: low inputs with optimized output, reduced post-harvest losses and a favourable regulatory profile. “With Emesto, we offer a built-in potato consultancy, inviting farmers to become ambassadors of this innovative seed treatment, communicating the benefits to both live and virtual audiences.” said Albert Schirring, Segment Manager Fungicides, Vegetables and Potatoes. In 2012 Emesto™ received registrations in Canada, US, UK and Ukraine. Further registrations are expected in key countries for the 2013 growing season.

Luna™ (active ingredient: fluopyram) was developed to control problematic plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens. With this fungicide Bayer CropScience offers farmers an innovative solution controlling white mold and early blight. The key advantages for producers, dealers and consumers are improved storage and a longer shelf-life of harvested produce. This novel fungicide will be launched for use in foliar application and seed treatment in more than 79 horticultural and industrial crops. US registration for Luna™ has been received and available for the 2012 planting season. Further registrations are expected in key countries for the 2013 growing season.

Infinito™ (active ingredient: fluopicolide) with a novel and unique mode of action leads to rapid destabilization of fungal cell structures and allows it to provide robust high-level control of late blight and downy mildew diseases. Products based on this innovative active ingredient provide a long-lasting and very effective protection for plants and are registered in more than 50 countries. The favorable residue and environmental profile enables growers to meet the stringent requirements of the food chain partners and to flexibly use Infinito™ in Integrated Pest Management systems (IPM) in a wide range of crops with short pre-harvest intervals. Bayer CropScience’s food chain experts working on hand to inform potato growers, operators, food processors and packers. The members of the food chain teams work closely with partners forming an important link in the production process.

Movento™ (active ingredient: spirotetramat) is the unique tool for sustainable and integrated pest management of sucking insects. The revolutionary two way systemic mode of action in conjunction with the high compatibility profile with beneficials and hence the perfect fit of Movento™ for Integrated Pest Management was rewarded the Agrow prize for the most innovative chemistry in 2011. Movento™ is a new insecticide of the ketoenol family with full systemic properties to control even hidden pests wherever they live and feed. The grower has a high performing tool to control aphids, white fly and psyllids vectoring Zebra disease. More over the product provides suppression of damage caused by wireworm and nematodes. Movento™ is an excellent rotation partner for effective resistance management. The perfect profile makes it a product of choice for the potato industry. While registered in the US, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand further registrations in other key countries are expected for the 2013 season.

About Bayer CropScience Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 7.255 billion (2011), 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 21,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

Contact:
Hermann-Josef Baaken, Tel. +49 2173 38-5598
E-Mail: hermann-josef.baaken@bayer.com