Dow Chemical still expects timely approval of its new Enlist biotech trait, which makes corn plants tolerant to 2,4-D herbicide, despite the USDA's two-month extension of a public comment period on the trait.

Spokesman for Dow AgroSciences says such extensions are "not atypical." New herbicide technology such as Enlist is crucial to prevent farmers' return to tillage, which causes soil erosion, and 2,4-D is already authorized for use in more than 70 counties, including the US, the spokesman said.

"At a time when global agricultural output is barely keeping pace with world population growth, we cannot afford to throttle back the introduction of new crop production technology," the spokesman said.

 (ian.berry@dowjones.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires