Photo via Kansas Ag Network

In the world of genetically engineered seeds and agrochemicals, there are few bigger players than Bayer, based in Germany, and Monsanto, based in the United States.

Now, the two could be joining forces in what would be one of the most monumental deals in recent history — if government regulators allow them to, that is.

While a potential merger between the two highly controversial companies (both of which have been the target of relentless protests in America and Europe, respectively) looked off for a while, they have reportedly “found common ground on a number of points” according to a Bloomberg report, and a merger deal could happen sometime in the next two weeks.

The purchase price had been a sticking point for Monsanto, which was offered $122 per share, or about $62 billion, for their company in May. The price rose by $3 per share but that offer was also rejected. But reports say they may have found common ground with Bayer on potential financial terms.

If successful, the merger would make the newly formed company the world’s number one producer of seeds and agrochemicals — a veritable super company specializing in the very type of agriculture that is making both people and environment sick across the world.

Monsanto Deal Follows Syngenta, Dow Mergers

As more and more people demand food free from toxic, synthetic chemicals and environmentally destructive practices such as chemical-intensive monoculture farming, the GMO seed and chemical world has responded by attempting to go bigger.

Syngenta, the Swiss seed and chemical giant, was acquired by ChemChina for $43 billion. Dow Chemical and DuPont, two of the biggest rivals to Monsanto and Bayer, combined in a so-called “merger of equals” that will be scrutinized in a hearing by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Previously a coalition of advocacy groups had called for an antitrust hearing on the merger.

Whether or not the Monsanto and Bayer merger will end up in an antitrust hearing is one of the focus points for negotiations, which both companies are trying to avoid. But environmentalists and consumer group advocates are calling for regulators to block the deal outright according to this Bloomberg article.

A pair of quotes in the article is especially illuminating as to the chasm of opinion between the two sides.

As European Green Party spokesman Richard More O’Ferrall put it to Bloomberg: “Given that the ostensible aim of this merger is market dominance, it’s hard to see how some token splits would ease concerns,” he said about plans to sell small divisions in order to avoid antitrust laws.

Meanwhile spokesperson Brandon Mitchener of Monsanto in Brussels had a completely different (many would say delusional) outlook: “Speaking hypothetically, I find it difficult to see how an acquisition of a company whose seeds help feed the world by a company whose products help keep us all healthy longer could be anything less than saintly.”

For more info on the possible merger check out this article. For more on why Monsanto and GMOs are not feeding the world, click here and here.