歐盟對拜耳收購孟山都交易展開深入調(diào)查

Brussels has launched an in-depth probe into German chemical giant Bayer’s $66bn purchase of Monsanto, the latest in a trio of megamergers reshaping the global agri-business industry and one that would create the world’s largest supplier of seeds and crop chemicals.

布魯塞爾針對德國化工巨頭拜耳(Bayer)擬以660億美元收購孟山都(Monsanto)的交易展開深入調(diào)查。這是重塑全球農(nóng)業(yè)綜合經(jīng)營領(lǐng)域的特大并購三部曲中的最新一部，該交易如果獲得成功，將會產(chǎn)生全球最大的種子以及農(nóng)作物化學(xué)品供應(yīng)商。

European antitrust authorities worry the deal would “reduce competition in a number of different markets resulting in higher prices, lower quality, less choice and less innovation”. The view echoes concerns raised by some farmers, regulators and politicians over a combination one environmental campaigner has dubbed a “marriage made in hell”.

歐洲反壟斷機構(gòu)擔(dān)心，該交易將會“減少多個不同市場的競爭，導(dǎo)致價格上漲、質(zhì)量下降以及選擇和創(chuàng)新減少”。此前也有一些農(nóng)民、監(jiān)管官員和政客對這樁被某位環(huán)保人士戲稱為“地獄里的婚姻”的合并感到擔(dān)憂。

Margrethe Vestager, European competition commissioner, is concerned the deal could reduce competition and research and development in pesticides, seeds and so-called traits, which are the patented characteristics of genetically modified seeds.

歐洲競爭事務(wù)專員瑪格麗特•維斯特格(Margrethe Vestager)擔(dān)心該交易將會減少競爭以及殺蟲劑、種子和所謂“性狀”領(lǐng)域的研發(fā)，后者是指轉(zhuǎn)基因種子的專利特征。

Brussels is also worried it could lead to lower investment in new digital technologies for farms, such as using data to tailor farming methods.

布魯塞爾還擔(dān)心，該交易可能導(dǎo)致在新數(shù)字技術(shù)(如利用數(shù)據(jù)定制種植方法)方面的投資減少。

“We need to ensure effective competition so that farmers can have access to innovative products, better quality and also purchase products at competitive prices,” said Ms Vestager. “And at the same time maintain an environment where companies can innovate and invest in improved products.”

維斯特格表示：“我們需要確保有效的市場競爭，讓農(nóng)民能夠獲得創(chuàng)新性的產(chǎn)品、質(zhì)量更好的產(chǎn)品，并且能以實惠的價格購買產(chǎn)品，同時保持一個讓公司能夠創(chuàng)新和投資改善產(chǎn)品的環(huán)境。”