Monsanto shedding name: Bayer acquisition leads to change for environmental lightning rod

Source: USA Today

Monsanto shedding name: Bayer acquisition leads to change for environmental lightning rod

Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY Published 8:53 a.m. ET June 4, 2018 | Updated 9:17 a.m. ET June 4, 2018

The name Monsanto is no more, but not necessarily for reasons that would satisfy the seed and pesticide company's many critics.

Monsanto, often assailed for its impact on the earth and on human health, will shed its moniker after German giant Bayer officially acquires the company on June 7.

While health and agricultural firm Bayer had been considering axing the Monsanto brand for some time, the decision to abandon the name was made official Monday.

"Bayer will remain the company name," Bayer said in a statement. "Monsanto will no longer be a company name. The acquired products will retain their brand names and become part of the Bayer portfolio."

The deal was set in motion in September 2016, when Bayer agreed to pay $66 billion for Monsanto amid a global shakeup fueled by sluggish crop prices.

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Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/06/04/monsanto-bayer-name/668418002/