Reading Time: 2 minutes Monheim, Germany | Reuters — German drugs and pesticides group Bayer said Tuesday it was now likely to be early next year before it can complete its US$66 billion deal to acquire U.S. group Monsanto, later than previously expected. The European Commission has been scrutinizing the proposed takeover with a deadline of Jan. 8 but […] Read more
Bayer says needs more time for Monsanto deal approval
EU starts in-depth probe of Bayer-Monsanto deal
Reading Time: 3 minutes Brussels/Frankfurt | Reuters — The European Commission has started an in-depth investigation of Bayer’s planned US$66 billion takeover of U.S. seeds group Monsanto, saying it was worried about competition in various pesticide and seeds markets. The deal would create the world’s largest integrated pesticides and seeds company, the Commission said, adding this limited the number […] Read more
Finer nozzle screens linked to Proline plug-ups
Reading Time: 2 minutes Bayer CropScience is recommending users of its Proline foliar fungicide double-check the nozzles they’re using before spraying, to avoid the “plugging issues” affecting some customers’ sprayers. The company on Wednesday reported a “small” number of cases in which farmers’ sprayers were plugging up during applications of Proline, a broad-spectrum prothioconazole (Group 3) suspension Bayer bills […] Read more
Field studies fuel dispute over whether neonics harm bees
Reading Time: 3 minutes London | Reuters — Two major studies into how bees are affected by a group of pesticides banned in Europe gave mixed results on Thursday, fuelling a row over whether the neonicotinoid pesticides are safe. The studies, one conducted across three European countries and another in Canada, found some negative effects after exposure to neonicotinoids […] Read more
Bayer files for Monsanto takeover approval with EU regulators
Reading Time: < 1 minute Frankfurt | Reuters — Bayer has filed a request for approval of its planned US$66 billion takeover of U.S. seeds company Monsanto with European Union regulators, as suitors line up for assets that Bayer will sell to get the approval by year-end. Bayer, which is bracing for the EU Commission to go into an in-depth […] Read more
BASF ready to snatch seed bargains as rivals sell assets
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ludwigshafen, Germany | Reuters — BASF will consider buying seed assets that rivals are putting on the block to win antitrust approval for tie-ups, saying bargain prices could persuade BASF to overcome its traditional reluctance to expand into the seeds industry. Sources familiar with BASF’s thinking have said that competition regulators looking at potential buyers […] Read more
Syngenta eyes Bayer assets to bolster seed operations
Reading Time: 2 minutes Basel | Reuters — Switzerland’s Syngenta, the crop protection company acquired by ChemChina, has vowed to bulk up its seeds business and join the chase for assets rival Bayer must sell to gain regulatory approval for its takeover of Monsanto. Syngenta, a distant third in the global seeds market behind Monsanto and Dupont, is determined […] Read more
Bayer to sell Liberty brands to get Monsanto deal passed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Frankfurt | Reuters –– Bayer has agreed to sell its Liberty herbicide and LibertyLink-branded seeds businesses to win antitrust approval for its acquisition of Monsanto, it said on Monday. The divestment of the two global brands, a requirement imposed by South Africa’s Competition Commission on Sunday, will account for the bulk of asset sales worth […] Read more
Bayer, Monsanto start asset sale toward merger clearance
Reading Time: 2 minutes Frankfurt | Reuters — German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer and U.S. seeds company Monsanto are launching asset sales worth roughly US$2.5 billion as they seek regulatory clearance for their US$66 billion merger, people close to the matter said. To kick off an auction process, Bayer’s advisors will send out information packages next week […] Read more
Bayer sees pesticide profits stagnating before Monsanto takeover
Reading Time: 2 minutes Leverkusen, Germany | Reuters — German drugs and pesticides maker Bayer forecast a year without earnings growth for its agricultural products business on Wednesday, as it seeks to complete its US$66 billion deal to take over U.S. seeds giant Monsanto. Bayer has said the deal, which would put the size of its agricultural business on […] Read more
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