Green light for Monsanto merger

The name Monsanto – one of the biggest and probably most criticised in the agrochemical and biotech industries – is set to disappear following the go-ahead granted for the acquisition of the company by German pharmaceutical company Bayer.

US regulators gave the merger of the two agribusiness giants the all-clear at the end of last week in a multi-billion dollar deal which was two years in the making.

But while Bayer was forced to shed some of its existing agricultural port- folio, the move will double the company’s share of the agricultural market, making it the single largest global player in the agrochemical and biotech sectors.

Following the deal, set to be sealed later this week, the Monsanto name – which has been widely linked with genetically modified crops the invention and development of both Roundup, the glyphosate-based weedkiller, and Roundup Ready varieties of oilseed rape and soya – has been widely targeted by environmental groups.

And in the run-up to the acquisition Bayer yesterday flatly announced that:

“Bayer will continue to be the company name. Monsanto will not be a company name.”

However the company promised to adopt a sustainable approach to future developments:

“Innovation is vital to produce more healthy, safe and affordable food for a growing population in a more sustainable manner,” said Liam Condon, Bayer Board Member and President of the Crop Science Division