BASF ProVM granted renewed ExperimentalUse Permitfor Clearcast™ herbicide targeting aquatic vegetation in 2007 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, June 29, 2007 – BASF Professional Vegetation Management (ProVM) has received an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate Clearcast™herbicide for the control of submerged, emergent and floating aquatic weed species.

Clearcast herbicide was given an EUP in 2006 covering 11 states. The expanded EUP allows for the use of Clearcast in 17 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Under the EUP, a total of 4,750 acres will be available for treatment this year, targeting weed species such as hydrilla, Eurasian water milfoil, water hyacinth, bladderwort, cattail, phragmites, curlyleaf pondweed, frogbit, giant reed, water pennywort and watershield.

“Our testing will focus on the level of control achieved for submerged, emerged and floating plants,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Birk, regulatory manager for BASF ProVM. “We’ll also evaluate the potential impact on desirable aquatic plant species in these states.”

Part of the imidazolinone family, imazamox is the active ingredient in Clearcast and is formulated as an aqueous 1.0 lb ae/gal soluble liquid. Imazamox inhibits the enzyme acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), which is found only in plant species, and is responsible for the synthesis of three branch-chain amino acids. This inhibition disrupts protein synthesis and subsequently interferes with cell growth of susceptible plants. Studies indicate that imazamox is taken up by the foliage and translocated throughout the plant, and susceptible weeds stop growing shortly after application and die within 4 to 12 weeks. Studies also indicate that Clearcast is nontoxic to birds, fish, algae and aquatic invertebrates.

BASF ProVM is working with the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Invasive Plants, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and various state agencies within the states participating under the EUP.

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With sales of €3,079 million in 2006, BASF’s Agricultural Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Agricultural Products division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.

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BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs more than 15,500 in North America and had sales of approximately $14.3 billion in 2006. For more information about BASF’s North American operations or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information contact:
Amie Dunn
BASF Corporation
Tel: (919) 547-2627
E-mail: amie.dunn@basf.com

Amy Fisher
Padilla Speer Beardsley
Tel: (612) 455-1773
E-mail: afisher@psbpr.com

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