Angst grows over agrochemical mega-mergers

Paris

THREE mega-mergers in the agrochemical sector, including Bayer and Monsanto, have raised concerns among farmers who fear higher prices and consumers more genetically modified food.

Even before Bayer successfully woos US-based Monsanto, German civil society has erupted in protest against a national champion acquiring a producer of genetically modified seeds and Roundup, the world's leading but also controversial weedkiller that is suspected of being a carcinogen.

Meanwhile ChemChina is tying the knot with Swiss-based Syngenta, and US companies Dow and DuPont are also finishing wedding plans.

The three giants born of these mergers …