Devgen Appoints Cheminova as Distributor in Southern Europe for its Nematicide Devguard®

Devgen nv and Cheminova have signed an agreement for distribution of Devgen's nematicide Devguard® in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal, for use on vegetable crops cultivated in greenhouses. This is an important market representing a significant proportion of the cultivation of high value vegetables crops in these countries for both local consumption and export. Few options remain for the growers to manage plant parasitic nematodes in these crops.

Devgen and Cheminova will work together throughout 2011 with growers and stakeholders to prepare for the market launch as soon as necessary approvals are obtained. Last year, the EU commission added Devgen's nematicide to the Directive 91/414/EC, upon Devgen's request. This is an important milestone towards the review of the regulatory dossiers for Devguard® which Devgen submitted in Spain, Italy and Greece. Initial approvals may hence be expected from 2011 onwards.

The agricultural sector has in recent years been faced with a shrinking portfolio of nematicides and fumigants. The market uptake and validation of Devgen's nematicides Devguard® and Enclosure® in other regions and markets, strengthens Devgen's confidence that its new nematicide will play a significant role in providing the farmer with a sustainable nematode management solution.

Intensive trialling over the past years in commercial environments in Europe has proven the efficacy and superior environmental profile of Devguard® in a wide range of vegetable crops and situations. Devguard's efficacy, its superior environmental profile, and the fact that it has no negative effect on bees and beneficial predators, are key differentiators versus other products in the market.

"Devgen is pleased to provide the producers of vegetables in greenhouses in South Europe, via Cheminova's established and extensive distribution channel, with a new cost effective nematode management solution" says Devgen's CEO, Thierry Bogaert "Both companies furthermore share strong Corporate Social Responsibility visions and policies."

"Nematodes cause significant crop loss for many growers in Southern Europe and they are looking for effective yet safe and environmentally benign solutions to this problem. Devguard® offers such a solution and we at Cheminova look forward to launching this novel and exciting nematicide through our strong distribution set-up", explains Jaime Gomez-Arnau, CEO of Cheminova Agro Spain and President of Cheminova Europe Region.