The Bayer acquisition of Monsanto continues to move forward, though additional review in Europe is slowing the process. The two companies got good news Friday (Dec. 1) when the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States completed its review of the deal. CFIUS has concluded there are no unresolved national security concerns with the transaction.

This is one more step on the road to completing the acquisition, which both companies had originally hoped to complete in 2017. However further reviews, and delays in the process, have pushed that expected timeline into early 2018.

The acquisition is still subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. In a statement about the CFIUS news, the companies note they will continue to cooperate with the authorities in order to complete the transaction.

Bayer has already committed to sell the assets and intellectual property for glufosinate production, and the Liberty Link trait to BASF. Monsanto got good news this week when the European Commission went ahead and granted glyphosate another five year registration for use, while not the original 15-year reregistration desired, it does keep that crop protection on the market in Europe.

You can learn more about what the deal entails and its progress at advancingtogether.com a site with more details on the merger and how the companies view a combined future.

Source: Bayer