Advertisement
UK markets closed
  • FTSE 100

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • FTSE 250

    19,884.73
    +74.07 (+0.37%)
     
  • AIM

    744.47
    +2.36 (+0.32%)
     
  • GBP/EUR

    1.1698
    +0.0029 (+0.25%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2634
    -0.0004 (-0.03%)
     
  • Bitcoin GBP

    55,869.32
    +1,112.02 (+2.03%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,251.48
    +2.99 (+0.06%)
     
  • DOW

    39,776.84
    +16.76 (+0.04%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    82.73
    +1.38 (+1.70%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,242.60
    +29.90 (+1.35%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     
  • HANG SENG

    16,541.42
    +148.58 (+0.91%)
     
  • DAX

    18,492.49
    +15.40 (+0.08%)
     
  • CAC 40

    8,205.81
    +1.00 (+0.01%)
     

Bayer offers to sell businesses to win EU approval for Monsanto deal

FILE PHOTO - The logo of Bayer AG is pictured at the Bayer Healthcare subgroup production plant in Wuppertal, Germany February 24, 2014. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender/File Photo

By Foo Yun Chee and Ludwig Burger

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Bayer has offered to sell seeds and pesticides businesses to try to address EU competition concerns over its $63.5 billion (£45.3 billion) bid for U.S. rival Monsanto.

The proposed remedies "are very significant and we are confident they fully address the European Commission's concerns," the German company said in a statement on Monday.

The European Commission extended the deadline for its decision on the deal to April 5 from March 12.

Bayer said it was still aiming to wrap up the deal "in early 2018." Both the EU competition enforcer and Bayer declined to say what assets Bayer had offered to put on the block.

ADVERTISEMENT

The offer includes assets to be sold to BASF as well divestments of vegetable seeds business in some EU countries, a person familiar with the matter said.

"This is a very diverse package. It is not just about divesting assets," the person said, declining to provide details.

Depending on the feedback from third parties, it is possible the package could be adjusted, the source said. The Commission is expected to seek comment from industry rivals and customers in the coming days.

Bayer struck a deal with BASF in October last year to sell seed and herbicide businesses for 5.9 billion euros (£5.2 billion) but has said it is prepared to do more to gain EU approval.

The Monsanto deal has triggered opposition from some farmers and environmentalists who have sent more than 50,000 petition emails and more than 5,000 letters to the Commission.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Ludwig Burger; Editing by Keith Weir and Mark Potter)