In 2012, the following accidental, episodic spills and releases from our facilities were significant enough to be reported to one or more governmental agencies.  In cases of material spilled on the ground or in a wetland, the spilled material was promptly cleaned up.  In all cases, root causes of the releases were identified and corrected, and there was no adverse impact to human health or the environment.

• In January 2012, 100 gallons of hydraulic fluid was released on the ground at the Soda Springs, Idaho, facility.
• In February 2012, process off-gas containing 2,190 pounds of ethyl chloride was released to the atmosphere at the Muscatine, Iowa, facility.
• In April 2012, one liter of fuel oil was released to an on-site wetland at the Chesterfield, Missouri, facility.
• In September 2012, an employee was exposed to acid mist and vapor from a 20-pound release of sulfuric acid at the Luling, Louisiana, facility.  Even though the employee was wearing appropriate protective equipment, the employee was taken to the hospital, treated, and released.

GRI EN28 Fines

In 2012, Monsanto paid no significant penalties for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations.  In reporting for GRI metric EN28, we are informed by United States Security and Exchange Commission guidance that environmental proceedings to which a governmental authority is a party or known to be contemplated by governmental authorities and involving monetary sanctions greater than $100,000, be reported to the public.

USDA Regulated Field Trial Incidents

Each year, as part of our product development process, Monsanto conducts thousands of authorized field trials with crops containing regulated biotechnology traits. Entities who conduct these field trials must follow United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) performance standards and self report certain deviations from those standards. In 2012, Monsanto self-reported seven (7) field trial incidents of potential deviation from compliance standards to USDA.  The USDA issued Notices of Compliance for three (3) of these incidents and has not issued any formal response to the remaining four (4) self-reported incidents. In 2012, the USDA issued one (1) Notice of Non-compliance for a deviation it identified during a field trial inspection.  In all cases, Monsanto identified root causes and took corrective action, and there were no adverse impacts to human health or the environment.