The Justice Department has approved the merger between Bayer and Monsanto, provided both companies sell off some assets. Bayer will be selling its digital farming business to BASF and will retain Monsanto's digital farming business after the acquisition.

Bayer and Monsanto are two of the biggest spenders when it comes to lobbying in Washington. In 2017 alone, Bayer spent $10.5 million (via OpenSecrets.org). This is the biggest merger of its kind – the type of monopolistic move many assume the government protects us from.

Note that Gregg Hartley was chief of staff to then Representative Roy Blunt from the home state, Missouri, of Monsanto. And in addition to lobbyists registering their efforts for these two specific companies, Croplife International and EuropaBio both lobby on behalf of both Monsanto and Bayer.

Probably the most frightening Bayer lobbyist on this venn is Michael Wood, founder of the East End Group lobbying firm. His bio on the company website points out his involvement in major legislation: “Michael Woody focuses his practice on Food and Drug Administratiyon (FDA) and public health issues before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. While working for Senator Harkin he negotiated the Senator's policy positions in several major pieces of legislation including the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, National Institutes of Health Reform Act, and the Older Americans Act Amendments. ”

Next up, watch this space for an updated venn on Monsanto.

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