Brussels, 22/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 June, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of the global sunflower seed business (seeds and products intended to improve crop performance) of US company Monsanto by Syngenta of Switzerland. Syngenta was created by the spin-off and merger of the crop protection business of Novartis and AstraZeneca and the seed business of Novartis, and is currently one of the main players in the field of sunflower seeds within the European Economic Area. The Commission's initial investigation raised serious concern about the compatibility of the operation with the EU mergers regulation with regard to the marketing of sunflower varieties (resulting from selective breeding), the market for commercialisation of sunflower seeds and products for treatment of these seeds. The fact that a competitor would be lost as a result of this operation could have a negative impact on the level of innovation and could lead to a reduced choice for consumers and a rise in prices for sunflower seeds. Also, with regards to seed treatment products, foreclosure concerns were raised. The Commission, which had received notification of the proposed acquisition on 28 April this year, now has 90 days in which to take a final decision. (F.G./transl.jl)