LyrArc Article Gist
Its unbelievable that the FDA in 1993 would even approve the use of hormones to get more milk from cows. And its unbelievable that Monsanto would promote BST or Posilac against the interests and wishes of millions of people for something as basic as milk. Unbelievable that Monsanto would lobby to prevent milk producers who chose not to use the BST hormone to say so on the label of the milk box. That the secretary of Agriculture banned such labels in Pennsylvania and the Governor had to reverse it after a public uproar shows how insensitive to public opinion and healthy living matters some companies have become.

LyrArc Article Gist
Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant pursues a strategy of expansion in pesticides with the planned acquisition of Syngenta. He is a graduate of Glasgow University with a degree in molecular biology. Grant, CEO of Monsanto since 2003, sees higher growth in pesticides. Sales in Monsanto's seeds and genetic traits division, about 65% of its business, increased by 4% in 2014, with its herbicide division growing by 13%. Syngenta is the largest pesiticide manufacturer and Monsanto the leader in seed sales worldwide. Grant has used his Scottish humor to fend off criticism of its genetically modified seeds business, a business it started 20 years ago and which is slowing. This can be seen in the increasing frequency with which the label "No GMO" (no genetically modified) is seen on food products. Grant sees the new moves as a way to reinvent Monsanto's business one more time.

LyrArc Article Gist
The German company Bayer faces an unusual situation trying to settle all lawsuits for Roundup weed killer that claim it causes cancer. It is settling lawsuits even while the product remains on the shelves at retailers. Bayer is not allowed to put warning labels by the EPA and regulators on Roundup that is on the shelves, because the EPA says glyphosate is not a chemical that causes cancer.  Bayer has already lost in three jury trials and faces the unusual predicament of not being able to remove the ingredient or put a warning label to avert future litigation. Bayer had lost a third of its stock value as the legal situation worsened. Investors are very critical of the acquisition of Monsanto for $63 billion by CEO Mr. Baumann in June 2018. Monsanto sold Roundup and this is how it ended up in Bayer's products with sales of $200 million. The legal settlements plan is 50 times this. $8 billion for current lawsuits and $2 billion for future lawsuits. And future lawsuits are unpredictable creating uncertainty for Bayer. Investors question whether such an acquisition was a good idea in the first place. ...

LyrArc Article Gist
agribusiness companies like Archer Daniels and Monsanto, john Deere are forming an alliance that promotes the idea that technology can ease global food supply shortages. This group is also working hard to preserve subsidies for ethanol. It faces opposition from other companies that have been hit hard by the inflation in food prices.