Commission mulls agriculture mega-merger

The European Commission has opened an investigation into the proposed merger of Monsanto and Bayer over concerns that it could hamper competition.

German pharmaceutical company Bayer’s proposal to buy agriculture firm Monsanto would create the largest pesticide and seed company in the world, a statement said. The Commission announced on 22 August that it was investigating whether the merger would reduce competition in the market, taking into account links between existing competitors in terms of R&D cooperation.

Monsanto’s pesticide glyphosate is the most popular herbicide in Europe, and Bayer produces one of few alternatives on the market. Both companies have huge shares in vegetable seeds markets and their products compete with one another.