Brazilian authorities are investigating Bayer AG and Monsanto Co., which plan to merge in a $66 billion deal, for potentially anti-competitive practices tied to the licensing of crop-chemical technology.
Officials are scrutinizing complaints from producers associations and a government-backed agricultural research firm, Embrapa, which allege that Monsanto is improperly withholding its signature product, Roundup Ready. Monsanto asked growers to refrain from using older technologies with expired patents in exchange for allowing access to newer technologies, according to the complaints.
The probe is independent of an ongoing review of Bayer’s proposed takeover of Monsanto, Brazil’s antitrust regulator, Cade, said Jan. 16. ...
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