Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT: JEFF DEZEN
864.233.3776, EXT. 11
jeffd@jdpr.com

                     UNITED INDUSTRIES AND BAYER CROPSCIENCE
                          DEVELOP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

           ALLIANCE SHARES TECHNOLOGIES AND EXPANDS SERVICE AGREEMENT

ST. LOUIS, JUNE 7, 2002--On the heels of closing two significant strategic
acquisitions, UNITED INDUSTRIES (UNITED), the leading manufacturer and marketer
of value-oriented products for the consumer lawn and garden and insect control
markets in the United States, today announced a strategic alliance with BAYER
CROPSCIENCE. The alliance will further United's product development efforts by
providing United access to select Bayer active ingredient technologies and
accelerate Bayer's market penetration in the U.S. consumer lawn and garden
product category through United's retail services.

According to Bob Caulk, Chairman and CEO of United Industries, the strategic
alliance is built upon three key pillars: United gains access to certain Bayer
CropScience premium active ingredient technologies; Bayer advances its
relationship with United's award-winning in-store retail service organization;
and Bayer gains a minority ownership in United.

Caulk commented, "The new business alliance is a valuable step in implementing
our long-term strategic plan to grow our business both horizontally and
vertically. Our recent merger with Schultz Company and our acquisition of the
Pursell brands in December have allowed us to expand into new markets and
synergistic product categories with strong, established consumer brands. Now,
our new product-technology partnership with Bayer CropScience will help us to
strengthen our product offerings by giving us access to premium active
ingredients that we believe will assist us with becoming an even more
competitive player at retail. We expect this new relationship to benefit our
trade partners by maximizing our ability to differentiate our product offerings
with technology AND service."

Caulk continued, "Bayer's acquisition of Aventis CropScience, announced earlier
this week, gives us even more reason for enthusiasm and increases the potential
for access to an even larger portfolio of active ingredients in the coming
years."

United is the leading manufacturer and marketer of value-oriented products for
the consumer lawn and garden care and insect control markets in the United
States. The


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  UNITED INDUSTRIES AND BAYER CROPSCIENCE DEVELOP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP...PAGE 2

company offers one of the broadest lines in the industry under a variety of
brand names including Spectracide(R), Spectracide(R) Triazicide(TM),
Spectracide(R) Terminate(TM), Hot Shot(R), Cutter(R), Sta-Green(R), Vigoro(R),
Bandini(R), Peters(R), Real-Kill(R), No-Pest(R), and Best(R). The company's
brand portfolio also incorporates consumer garden fertilizers, organic growing
media and outdoor living products including Schultz(R) plant foods and potting
soils, Expert Gardener(R) fertilizers and controls, Multi Cote(R) plant foods
and a new line of natural plant care products under the Garden Safe(R) brand.

Certain matters discussed in this news release, with the exception of historical
matters, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21G of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 which involves risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements
are based on the Company's current expectations. Actual results may differ
materially from these statements as a result of changes in external competitive
market factors, unanticipated changes in the Company's industry, or the economy
in general, as well as various other factors, including weather patterns. The
Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements made by or on its behalf, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

Bloomberg: 14496Z

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