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## Part I iteM 1a risk Factors 

## research and development expense 

We perform research and development in all of our segments with the majority of our efforts focused in the Agricultural Products segment. The development efforts in the Agricultural Products segment focus on developing environmentally sound solutions and new product 

formulations that cost-effectively increase farmers’ yields and provide alternatives to existing and new chemistries. Our research and development expenses in the last three years are set forth below: 

<img src='content_image/140221.jpg'>

## environmental laws and regulations 

A discussion of environmental related factors can be found in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 10 “Environmental” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. 

## employees 

We employ approximately 4,900 people, with approximately 2,400 people in our domestic operations and 2,500 people in our foreign operations. Approximately 33 percent of our U.S.-based employees and 36 percent of our foreign-based employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements. We have successfully concluded virtually all of our recent contract negotiations without a work stoppage. In those 

## securities and exchange Commission Filings 

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings are available free of charge on our website, www.fmc.com. Our annual reports on Form 10- K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are posted as soon as practicable after we furnish such materials to the SEC. 

## iteM 1a risk Factors 

rare instances where a work stoppage has occurred, there has been no material effect on consolidated sales and earnings. We cannot predict, however, the outcome of future contract negotiations. In 2011, we have 8 collective-bargaining agreements expiring. These contracts affect approximately 5 percent of U.S.-based employees and 34 percent of foreign-based employees. 

In accordance with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, on May 21, 2010, the Company filed our certification by our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) that, as of the date of the certification, he was unaware of any violation by FMC of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. We also file with each Form 10-Q and our Form 10-K certifications by the CEO and Chief Financial Officer under sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Among the factors that could have an impact on our ability to achieve operating results and meet our other goals are: 

## Worldwide recession and disruption of Financial Markets 

• The worldwide financial and credit market disruptions that were first manifested in 2008, reduced the availability of liquidity and credit generally necessary to fund a continuation and expansion of global economic activity. The shortage of liquidity and credit combined with substantial losses in equity markets led to a worldwide economic recession. While we have seen signs of recovery, the general slowdown 

in economic activity caused by an extended recession could adversely affect our business. A continuation or worsening of the current difficult economic conditions could adversely affect our customers’ ability to meet the terms of sale or our suppliers’ ability to fully perform their commitments to us. 

