Arvesta Announces California Registration of Chloropicrin

SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 23, 2004) – Arvesta Corporation today announced the California registration of their Chloropicrin soil fumigant product offering. Arvesta began manufacturing and marketing Chloropicrin in early 2003, and have been anxiously awaiting registration in California. Chloropicrin represents the first of multiple fumigant products that Arvesta plans to introduce over the next few years.

“We’re very excited about entering the California soil fumigant market with Chloropicrin from Arvesta,” said Michael Allan, Product Manager for fumigants at Arvesta Corporation. “Our company is committed to becoming the industry’s most trusted source of this important crop input, from offering a reliable supply of Chloropicrin to California growers to service and technical support after the sale.”

Chloropicrin is used as a fungicide and nematicide for the control of soil-borne pests and diseases such as wireworms, nematodes, phythium, phytophthora, fusarium and verticillium in various crops. Chloropicrin from Arvesta is now registered for use in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington.

In addition to Chloropicrin, Arvesta is awaiting registration of MIDAS™ (Iodomethane) Soil Fumigant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. MIDAS has been called the only true “drop-in replacement” for methyl bromide, which is scheduled to be phased out in the United States and other developed countries beginning in 2005.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Arvesta Corporation is an entrepreneurial provider of unique crop protection solutions worldwide. As a basic manufacturer of yield-enhancing, high-quality crop protection products and services, the company is strongly committed to product stewardship, environmental responsibility and human safety. Arvesta is a subsidiary of Arysta LifeScience Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For further information about Arvesta Corporation, please visit the company’s web site at www.arvesta.us.