BRUSSELS: EU antitrust regulators are set to warn Bayer its planned purchase of US seed maker Monsanto may hurt competition, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday, a move that would force Bayer to offer concessions to address the concerns.
The $66 billion deal would make Bayer the world’s largest pesticides and seeds company, an outcome already facing strong criticism from environmentalists and some farm groups.
The European Commission is expected to send a charge sheet known as a statement of objections to the companies in the coming weeks, but a final decision has not yet been made, the person said.
The EU competition enforcer declined to comment.
Companies have to address all the concerns addressed in the document with concessions or face a veto.
“Bayer continues to work with the necessary regulatory parties, including the EU, towards a successful close of the acquisition of Monsanto in early 2018,” Bayer spokesman Darren Wallis said in an email.
He declined further comment.
Monsanto spokeswoman Sara Miller said the company had no comment. — Reuters
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