歐盟對拜耳收購孟山都交易展開深入調查

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)的交易展開深入調查。這是重塑全球農業綜合經營領域的特大併購三部曲中的最新一部，該交易如果獲得成功，將會產生全球最大的種子以及農作物化學品供應商。

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”.

歐洲反壟斷機構擔心，該交易將會“減少多個不同市場的競爭，導致價格上漲、質量下降以及選擇和創新減少”。此前也有一些農民、監管官員和政客對這樁被某位環保人士戲稱爲“地獄裏的婚姻”的合併感到擔憂。

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.

歐洲競爭事務專員瑪格麗特?維斯特格(Margrethe Vestager)擔心該交易將會減少競爭以及殺蟲劑、種子和所謂“性狀”領域的研發，後者是指轉基因種子的專利特徵。

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

布魯塞爾還擔心，該交易可能導致在新數字技術（如利用數據定製種植方法）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，讓農民能夠獲得創新性的產品、質量更好的產品，並且能以實惠的價格購買產品，同時保持一個讓公司能夠創新和投資改善產品的環境。”