Indianapolis, IN - January 13, 2005

Dow AgroSciences LLC was the first to invent healthy canola oils involved in a U.S. Patent and Trademark dispute brought by Cargill, Inc. Consumers are switching to healthy oils to remove trans and saturated fats from their diets.

“This ruling vindicates our healthy oil patent position for Natreon™ canola oil, currently marketed in North America, Japan and in other countries,” said Pete Siggelko, vice president, Plant Genetics and Biotechnology for Dow AgroSciences.

“Natreon canola oil has essentially no trans fats and the lowest saturated fat levels of any oil on the market, key benefits consistent with new dietary guidelines issued just this week by the U.S. federal government,” he added.

The recent ruling is one of two interference proceedings initiated by Cargill, Inc. against Dow AgroSciences (US Patents 5,965,755 and US 6,169,190). Dow AgroSciences won the first interference against Cargill, also relating to canola oil, on April 27, 2004.

Together, the two rulings deny all of Cargill's actions pending before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against Dow AgroSciences.

Made from proprietary Dow AgroSciences Nexera™ canola seed, Natreon is naturally stable, with high oleic, low linolenic oil and is low in saturated fats. It provides superior performance and health attributes relative to partially hydrogenated oils.

“Natreon is a non-genetically modified product developed through conventional plant breeding,” said David Dzisiak, global business leader, Oils and Oilseeds of Dow AgroSciences. “In recent studies it also outperformed hydrogenated soybean oil in terms of stability and fry life, in addition to its health benefits.”

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 5,700 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of approximately US $3 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information about Dow AgroSciences, visit www.dowagro.com.

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For Editorial Information:

Robyn Heine
Dow AgroSciences LLC
(317) 337-4807