BUSINESS BRIEFING
Times Wire Reports
Monsanto Co., the world’s biggest seed company, says the Justice Department is investigating whether it violated antitrust rules in trying to expand its dominance of the market for genetically engineered crops.
The department’s investigation of Monsanto is part of an inquiry into consolidation in the seed industry. It focuses on the company’s licensing agreements with seed companies.
St. Louis-based Monsanto’s patented genes are inserted into most U.S. corn and soybean crops. Critics say Monsanto has used its market clout to squeeze competitors.
