EU probes Bayer’s planned buyout of Monsanto
ANTITRUST EU agency to probe Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto The European Union’s antitrust watchdog said Tuesday that it has launched a probe into German chemical maker Bayer ’s planned acquisition of US seed and weed- killer company Monsanto . The European Commission, which polices competition in Europe, said it has concerns that the merger may reduce competition in areas like pesticides and seeds. Monsanto last year accepted an offer from Bayer to pay $57 billion to its shareholders and assume $9 billion in debt. Were it to go ahead, the buyout would create the world’s largest integrated pesticides and seeds company. The commission says it will also look into whether the move would hinder the access of competitors to distributors and farmers. — ASSOCIATED PRESS ANTITRUST Brazilian watchdog questions AT&T’s deal for Time Warner Brazil’s antitrust watchdog said AT&T Inc.’s $85. 4 billion deal for Time Warner Inc. poses a high risk to competition, a potential complication...