Monsanto name to be modified

28 January 2000



Monsanto name to be modified

MONSANTO is to change its company name in what appears as an attempt to lose the poor reputation it has acquired from its association with genetically modified (GM) crops.

The US group is merging with US-Swiss drugs group Pharmacia & Upjohn and the $50 billion corporation will in future be known as Pharmacia.

Its agricultural subsidiary, part of which will be sold off once the merger is complete, will continue to use the Monsanto name.

Monsanto became vulnerable to takeover after its fortunes were laid low by mounting concern over GM crops. It had been an enthusiastic pioneer of the technology.

• Bank predicts GM failure, FWi, 24 December, 1999
• Merger deal is bad for Monsanto, FWi, 21 December, 1999
• Monsanto to sell GM business, FWi, 20 December, 1999
  
• The Guardian 28/01/2000 page 1