The U.S. Justice Department this month is expected to approve a merger of two huge corporations ― St. Louis-based seed company Monsanto and German crop-chemical conglomerate Bayer ― and the consequences could be enormous. The $66 billion deal, already approved by the European Union, will create the world’s biggest pesticides and seeds monopoly. Companies would be able to access farmers’ data to sell them seeds and pesticides. Monsanto itself has hinted that data is a key reason for seeking the merger with Bayer. “Bayer’s acquisition by Monsanto has undergone a lengthy and robust regulatory review process by the relevant competition authorities,” he said.

Source: Huffington Post May 25, 2018 09:45 UTC