Brussels | Reuters –– ChemChina won conditional EU antitrust approval on Wednesday for its US$43 billion bid for Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta, a deal that could help China boost its domestic agricultural output. The deal is one of several reshaping the agricultural chemicals and seeds market, even as these deals trigger fears among […] Read more
EU clears ChemChina’s Syngenta takeover, with conditions
ChemChina, Syngenta win U.S. antitrust approval for deal
Washington | Reuters — The China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, has won U.S. antitrust approval to buy Switzerland’s Syngenta on condition that it divest three pesticides, the Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday. To win approval for the $43 billion deal, the companies agreed to divest ChemChina’s generic production of the herbicide paraquat, the […] Read more
EU nations vote against GM crops, but not enough to block them
Brussels | Reuters — A majority of EU countries voted on Monday against allowing two new genetically modified crops to be grown in Europe, batting the contentious decision on GM cultivation in Europe back to the EU executive. EU governments were asked to vote on the future of two grades of GM maize, Pioneer’s 1507 […] Read more
EU regulators said set to clear Dow, Syngenta deals next week
Brussels | Reuters — EU antitrust regulators are set to clear the US$130 billion Dow Chemical and DuPont merger and ChemChina’s US$43 billion bid for Syngenta next week, people familiar with the matter said Thursday. The European Commission could announce its approvals for both companies at the same time either Monday or Tuesday, the people […] Read more
ChemChina says Syngenta deal filing accepted by Beijing
Beijing | Reuters –– ChemChina said Monday that Beijing had accepted its application for regulatory approval of its US$43 billion takeover of Syngenta last month. Earlier Gao Hucheng, who retired as commerce minister less than two weeks ago, said the government had not received a formal filing for China’s largest overseas acquisition. Speaking to Reuters […] Read more
Syngenta to shed southwestern Ontario seed storehouse
Crop chemical and seed firm Syngenta Canada plans to shut and sell its seed distribution site in southwestern Ontario by the end of May. The company announced Wednesday it would shut its operations at Cottam, about 30 km southeast of Windsor, “not later than May 31.” The Cottam site, formerly a seed processing plant, was […] Read more
Canada’s competition watchdog clears Syngenta takeover
Canada’s farmers aren’t likely to see less competition for their crop chemical dollars if the owner of Adama Canada buys Syngenta, the Canadian antitrust watchdog has ruled. The Competition Bureau on Tuesday issued a “no action” letter for the takeover of Syngenta by China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina), saying the deal is “unlikely to result […] Read more
Syngenta sees ChemChina deal closing in second quarter
Reuters — Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta pushed back the expected closure of its agreed US$43 billion takeover by ChemChina to the second quarter of 2017, but said it was making progress in winning regulatory approval for the deal. The transaction is important for China, the world’s largest agricultural market, which is looking to […] Read more
EU said set to approve ChemChina bid for Syngenta
Brussels | Reuters — ChemChina is set to secure conditional EU antitrust approval for its US$43 billion bid for Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta, two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The deal — the largest foreign acquisition by a Chinese company — is important for China, the world’s largest agricultural market, […] Read more
ChemChina seeks U.S. antitrust approval for Syngenta deal
Beijing | Reuters –– China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, said Friday it has sought the U.S. antitrust regulator’s approval for its planned US$43 billion acquisition of Swiss crop protection and seed group Syngenta. “We have filed an HSR Act with the FTC after good communications with the case team. We believe the U.S. anti-trust […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
