Two ag groups call for federal block of Syngenta-ChemChina merger

Two major food and agriculture groups are calling for federal regulators to block the proposed $43 billion merger between agribusiness giant Syngenta AG and China National Chemical Corp., also known as ChemChina.

Food and Water Watch and the National Farmers Union sent a letter to senior officials of the commerce, agriculture and defense departments, among others, calling for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to halt the deal, citing economic and national security concerns.

“The proposed takeover of a major seed and agricultural chemical company poses significant potential threats to U.S. security interests; undermines food security in the United States and worldwide; disrupts trade flows; and accelerates the international consolidation of the food and agribusiness industries to the detriment of American farmers, rural communities, and consumers,” the groups said in the letter, dated July 21.

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