In order to get the $66 billion purchase of Monsanto finalized, Bayer has agreed to sell its LibertyLink trait and herbicide portfolio, according to Reuters.
The Competition Commission of South Africa announced the stipulation earlier this week, to which Bayer has reportedly agreed.
The divestiture of some traits doesn’t come as a surprise to most, with Monsanto holding the competing RoundupReady portfolio.
Largely a canola trait in the Canadian market, both the LibertyLink trait and Liberty herbicide businesses are to be sold off to gain the regulatory approval, but there’s no word yet on whether the trait and herbicide package will be sold as one, covering all crops, or separately or by crop type.
“There are clearly a couple of areas that I think are going to go through the regulatory review process, and those will be the areas where if there’s fixes that need to be made or decisions that need to be made, it’s still a very small part of what drives the business combination,” Monsanto’s chief technology officer Robb Fraley told RealAgriculture when asked about competition in the canola seed market last fall.
So while the sale of a trait or product line is not a surprise, who do you think will pick it up (let’s assume it’s the canola portfolio)? Vote now! Feel free to add your comments below.
Related:
- Canola Seed Consolidation Small Part of Big Deal: Monsanto, Bayer Execs
- Why is Bayer acquiring Monsanto?
- Canola grower groups voice ‘serious concern’ over Bayer/Monsanto deal
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