EU COMPETITION watchdogs have given the go-ahead for Swiss biotech firm Syngenta to take over Dutch-based Advanta Seeds, subject to it divesting Advanta‘s entire European seeds business.

As previously reported, Syngenta has already offered to do this, retaining only Advanta‘s North American maize and soybean activities, which have a strong GM bias, in a deal worth a reported €239m (£160m).

The non-American business, including Advanta Seeds UK, will be sold on to California-based investment company Fox Paine subject to EU Commission approval later in August.

A commission statement said that, without the divestment of Advanta‘s EU business, there would have been serious competition concerns in a number of EU seed markets.

Despite the new ownership it is expected to be “business as usual” for British growers taking seed from Advanta Seeds UK.