Bayer Environmental Science, a business group of Bayer CropScience LP, can continue to market the active ingredient fipronil and its mixtures to the turf and ornamental market. This announcement stems from Bayer CropScience AG’s recent agreement on the divestiture of selected insecticides and fungicides to BASF AG.
According to Bayer Environmental Science, the company retains back-licenses for certain non-agricultural applications. Fipronil serves as the active ingredient for Chipco TopChoice and Chipco Choice, and a fire ant bait, all of which are intended to be used in and are labeled exclusively for professional markets.
“Fipronil is a key growth driver and offers tremendous opportunity as we further expand our position in the turf and ornamental market,” explained Jim Fetter, director of Marketing, Bayer Environmental Science. “We are excited now that the transaction is finalized and look forward to continuing to provide our customers with innovative fipronil insecticides that can be included in their arsenal of effective control products. ... We view fipronil as an important foundation block in our comprehensive product and service portfolio.”
Bayer CropScience AG completed the sale transaction recently and fulfilled the conditions imposed by the anti-trust authorities as part of the Aventis CropScience acquisition. Fipronil is manufactured at a facility in Elbeuf, France, and is included in the the final agreements.