RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, May 27, 2010 – Agricultural thought leaders will convene with members of the media to discuss sustainability issues during a summit hosted by BASF June 8-10 in Chicago. Participants will focus on collaboration between producers and industry stakeholders to improve agricultural sustainability, differing industry and public perception, and continuous improvements shaping the future of sustainable productivity in the U.S. and globally.

The event will feature discussions with BASF senior agricultural leaders, including Stefan Marcinowski, member of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors; Markus Heldt, President of BASF Crop Protection; and Peter Eckes, President of BASF Plant Science, along with representatives from multiple agricultural perspectives. BASF will also share its in-house analysis tool, which can measure the sustainability of products and production processes.

“BASF is creating a forum to discuss agricultural sustainability and practical solutions to help growers,” said Stefan Marcinowski. “Farmers have a tremendous responsibility to produce more than ever while continuing to protect the environment for future generations. Our conversations with representatives from stakeholders throughout the value chain will help to bring together the many visions of agricultural sustainability to a practical point of what growers need from all of us.”
In addition to focused discussions on the scientific and practical aspects of agricultural sustainability, BASF will present a U.S.-based example of its sustainability analysis tool. This scientific model compares the social, economic and environmental profiles of products and production methods. The tool can help provide tailored solutions to help growers run their businesses profitably while keeping the environmental impact of farming to a minimum and meeting the needs of society.

Panelists from throughout the agricultural value chain representing growers, economists, manufacturers, and consumer interests will share their views on sustainability and what it means to farmers. Featured speaker, Roger Thurow, former correspondent of The Wall Street Journal and co-author of “Enough: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty,” also will share his perspective.

For more information on the summit visit its Web page here.

About the Crop Protection division

With sales of €3.6 billion in 2009, BASF’s Crop Protection 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 Crop Protection 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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About BASF Plant Science

BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company - is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry, BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed and higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.

BASF - The Chemical Company.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. 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 and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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