-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, H1AidCdJzZVD927WSP0S8OnyIucjKcm8+N1H/eqJAaJc6HhEStZn4wzd+KPWAsF0 Ogf+PVQmbzeMx9u3eqSgow== 0000902277-04-000063.txt : 20041101 0000902277-04-000063.hdr.sgml : 20041101 20041101121755 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000902277-04-000063 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20041028 ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to the Registrant.s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20041101 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20041101 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DELTA & PINE LAND CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000902277 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100] IRS NUMBER: 621040440 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-14136 FILM NUMBER: 041108905 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE COTTON ROW CITY: SCOTT STATE: MS ZIP: 38772 BUSINESS PHONE: 6017423351 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE COTTON ROW CITY: SCOTT STATE: MS ZIP: 38772 8-K 1 dpl8k110104.txt 8 K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 1, 2004 (October 28, 2004) DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 62-1040440 (State or other jurisdiction (IRS employer of incorporation) identification No.) 000-21788 (Commission file number) One Cotton Row, Scott, Mississippi 38772 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (662) 742-4000 N/A (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2 (b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics. On October 28, 2004, the Board of Directors of Delta and Pine Land Company ("D&PL") adopted a revised Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"). The revised Code includes a new section on financial reporting. The revised Code also provides additional definition relating to several items including conflicts of interest, the appropriate use of third party proprietary information, and D&PL's policy against discrimination against employees and prospective employees. The foregoing is a brief summary of the Code and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Code attached hereto as Exhibit 14.1. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 14.1 Delta and Pine Land Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY Date: November 1, 2004 /s/ R. D. Greene ----------------------------------------------------- R. D. Greene, Vice President - Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary EX-14 2 ex141110104.txt EXHIBIT 14.1 ============================================ POLICY IN EFFECT August 29, 2003 As amended October 28, 2004 ============================================ Delta and Pine Land Company CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS Introduction This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees of Delta and Pine Land Company (the "Company"). All of our directors, officers and employees (sometimes referred to collectively as "employees" in this Code) must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. The Code should also be provided to and followed by the Company's agents and representatives, including consultants. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law; however, if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor or the Corporate Services Department how to handle the situation. Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action. If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow the guidelines described in Section 14 of this Code. 1. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which this Company's ethical standards are built. All employees must respect and obey the laws of the cities, states and countries in which we operate. Although not all employees are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors or the Corporate Services Department, managers or other appropriate personnel. The Company holds information and training sessions to promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations, including insider-trading laws. 2. Financial Reporting and Controls The Company is responsible for maintaining its financial records in compliance with the law, generally accepted accounting principles and the Company's system of internal controls and accounting policies. Specifically, you are responsible, to the extent that your job requires, for: 1. Honest, accurate, understandable and timely recording, reporting and retention of information. 2. Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and other documents that the Company files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). 3. Accurately reflecting in all financial books, records and accounts all transactions and events. 4. Complying with SEC requirements and generally accepted accounting principles. 5. Maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. 6. Certifying, to the best of your knowledge, that accounting entries or financial transactions fairly represent the Company's financial condition and results of operation as outlined and requested by the Chief Financial Officer. You are specifically prohibited from: 1. Making or omitting an entry that intentionally hides, disguises or misrepresents the true nature of any transaction. 2. Recording false or artificial transactions. 3. Altering, destroying, mutilating, concealing, covering up, or falsifying the Company's financial records for the purpose of rendering those records to be incorrect, misleading, or unavailable for use in an official proceeding. 4. Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information to an internal or external auditor. 5. Fraudulently influencing, coercing, manipulating, or misleading an auditor of the Company's financial statements for the purpose of rendering those financial statements to be misleading in any material way. 6. Deferring the recording of items that should be expensed within the proper accounting period. 7. Maintaining undisclosed or unrecorded funds, assets, liabilities, or contingencies. 8. Approving or making a payment with the intention that it is to be used for any purpose other than that described by the document supporting the payment. 3. Conflicts of Interest A "conflict of interest" exists when a person's private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director, or members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and their family members may create conflicts of interest. It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our behalf. Employees should refrain from engaging in fundraising or personal business for profit on Company property or time unless such activity is Company sponsored, is approved in advance by the Corporate Services Department, or is charitable in nature and not (in the Company's sole discretion) detrimental to the best interests of other employees or the Company. Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with higher levels of management or the Company's Corporate Services Department. Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the procedures described in Section 14 of this Code. 4. Insider Trading Employees who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public information about the Company should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. If you have any questions, please consult the Company's Corporate Services Department. 5. Corporate Opportunities Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain, and no employee may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. 6. Competition and Fair Dealing We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. We seek competitive advantages through superior performance, never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner's consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each employee should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company's customers, suppliers (including trait suppliers), competitors and employees. No employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other intentional unfair dealing practice. To maintain the Company's valuable reputation, compliance with our quality processes and safety requirements is essential. In the context of ethics, quality requires that our products and services be designed and manufactured to meet our obligations to customers. All inspection and testing documents must be handled in accordance with all applicable regulations. In addition, you should refrain from using trade secrets, patents, or proprietary materials of third parties without the appropriate license agreements or consents, including the use of packaged computer software. The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create good will and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee, family member of an employee or agent unless it: (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with customary business practices, (3) is not excessive in value ($100), (4) cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations. Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts to be given or received which you are not certain are appropriate. 7. Discrimination and Harassment The diversity of the Company's employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment or any kind. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances. You are required to treat all employees and prospective employees fairly without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or other occupationally irrelevant characteristics. 8. Health and Safety The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthful work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and practices and immediately reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions. Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees are not permitted to possess firearms or other weapons on Company premises. Employees should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated. 9. Record-Keeping The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual number of hours worked should be reported. Many employees regularly use business expense accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or the corporate controller. Rules and guidelines are available from the Accounting and Finance Department. All of the Company's books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company's transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company's system of internal controls. Unrecorded or "off the books" funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation. Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company's record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation please consult the Company's Corporate Services Department. 10. Confidentiality Employees must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company, its technology or business partners or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized by the Corporate Services Department or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends. 11. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets All employees should endeavor to protect the Company's assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company's profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation. Company equipment should not be used for non-Company business, though incidental personal use may be permitted. The obligation of employees to protect the Company's assets includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information would violate Company policy. It could also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties. 12. Payments to Government Personnel The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials of any country. In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations regarding business gratuities which may be accepted by U.S. government personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Company policy but could also be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The Company's Corporate Services Department can provide guidance to you in this area. 13. Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board or a Board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation. 14. Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. Employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct. 15. Compliance Procedures We must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code. However, in some situations it is difficult to know right from wrong. Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind: o Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible. o Ask yourself: What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common sense; if something seems unethical or improper, it probably is. o Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. Are your colleagues informed? It may help to get others involved and discuss the problem. o Discuss the problem with your supervisor or the Corporate Services Department. This is the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Remember that it is your supervisor's responsibility to help solve problems. o Seek help from Company resources. In the rare case where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor, or where you do not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question, discuss it locally with your manager or the human resources manager. If that also is not appropriate, call a corporate officer at (800) 321-8989. If you prefer to write, address your concerns to: Ann Shackelford or Tom Jagodinski at the company's headquarters (PO Box 157, Scott, MS 38772). o You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be protected. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of ethical violations. o Always ask first, act later: If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----