After several years of negotiation, EU institutions have agreed to relax rules that in effect banned gene-edited crops in Europe. The policy, which is expected to come into force in 2026, is the first major loosening of European rules on genetic modifications in agriculture. But the merger has been overshadowed by billions of dollars of US legal claims linked to Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller and by European resistance to genetically modified crops. If approved, the EU policy change will not deliver an immediate financial boost. Beyond Europe, Bayer views Africa as a crucial long-term market.

Source: The Irish Times January 10, 2026 17:00 UTC