Bayer Looks to Develop More Weed-Killers as Roundup Litigation Continues

   By Cristina Roca 
 

Bayer AG (BAYN.XE) plans to invest about 5 billion euros ($5.64 billion) over the next decade to develop more methods for fighting weeds, as it continues to face litigation over the glyphosate-based weed-killer Roundup.

"While glyphosate will continue to play an important role in agriculture and in Bayer's portfolio, the company is committed to offering more choices for growers," the German pharmaceuticals and chemicals company said Friday.

Bayer inherited Roundup after acquiring seed-and-pesticide group Monsanto in 2018, and now faces thousands of legal claims connecting the herbicide to cancer.

The company on Friday also promised that its agricultural solutions will reduce environmental impact 30% by 2030 by developing new technologies, reducing crop-protection volumes and allowing for more precise application, it said.

These measures address "concerns Bayer has heard about its role in agriculture in the year following its acquisition of Monsanto," the company said.

Bayer said it will invite scientists, journalists and NGO representatives to participate in scientific preparation as it gets ready to re-register its glyphosate herbicide in the European Union.

Write to Cristina Roca at [e-mail]; @_cristinaroca

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 14, 2019 02:47 ET (06:47 GMT)

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