Latest news with #Bayer
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US EPA moves to approve dicamba weedkiller use on cotton, soybeans
By Leah Douglas and Tom Polansek WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed approvals for three products containing the weedkiller dicamba, whose use was halted by a federal court in 2024, arguing it does not pose a significant human health or environmental risk. Cotton and soybean farmers had sprayed dicamba on crops that were genetically engineered to resist the herbicide, which controls tough weeds. Environmental groups have criticized the chemical because it can drift from where it is sprayed and damage neighboring plants. A 2024 U.S. District Court ruling found the EPA previously violated public input procedures in its approval of three dicamba products, and vacated the product registrations. As a result, farmers were unable to spray dicamba on crops this year. The EPA has received applications from Bayer AG, BASF and Syngenta for new approvals, the agency said in regulatory documents. Bayer, which sold the dicamba herbicide XtendiMax, said it was pleased the EPA opened a public comment period on its proposal to approve dicamba usage. "We are confident that low-volatility dicamba herbicides, when used according to the label, can be used safely and successfully on-target," Bayer said. BASF said it would work with regulators to ensure farmers can use dicamba. Syngenta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An EPA review found no risk to human health from the products, but some risk to certain plants, it said in a release. To mitigate that risk, the agency is proposing restrictions on how much of the chemical can be applied and when, the release said. The top pesticides official at the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Kyle Kunkler, previously worked as a lobbyist for the American Soybean Association, which has supported allowing farmers to spray dicamba on soybeans. The association said it was reviewing the EPA's proposal and that dicamba is a critical tool for farmers.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
US EPA moves to approve dicamba weedkiller use on cotton, soybeans
WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed approvals for three products containing the weedkiller dicamba, whose use was halted by a federal court in 2024, arguing it does not pose a significant human health or environmental risk. Cotton and soybean farmers had sprayed dicamba on crops that were genetically engineered to resist the herbicide, which controls tough weeds. Environmental groups have criticized the chemical because it can drift from where it is sprayed and damage neighboring plants. A 2024 U.S. District Court ruling found the EPA previously violated public input procedures in its approval of three dicamba products, and vacated the product registrations. As a result, farmers were unable to spray dicamba on crops this year. The EPA has received applications from Bayer AG ( opens new tab, BASF and Syngenta for new approvals, the agency said in regulatory documents. Bayer, which sold the dicamba herbicide XtendiMax, said it was pleased the EPA opened a public comment period on its proposal to approve dicamba usage. "We are confident that low-volatility dicamba herbicides, when used according to the label, can be used safely and successfully on-target," Bayer said. BASF said it would work with regulators to ensure farmers can use dicamba. Syngenta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An EPA review found no risk to human health from the products, but some risk to certain plants, it said in a release. To mitigate that risk, the agency is proposing restrictions on how much of the chemical can be applied and when, the release said. The top pesticides official at the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Kyle Kunkler, previously worked as a lobbyist for the American Soybean Association, which has supported allowing farmers to spray dicamba on soybeans. The association said it was reviewing the EPA's proposal and that dicamba is a critical tool for farmers.
Eater
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Farmers, Not AI, Power This Underground Dinner Series
has been writing about bars and restaurants for 20 years for publications including the Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago, and VinePair. With a single seating each night and a small crowd, Bayer is able to connect with each guest. While Bayer said he's routinely asked if the goal is to open a restaurant, he's enjoying the level of hospitality he can deliver through the weekly pop-ups for 24 to 30 people. The goal is to keep things fun and casual every step of the way. Word about Bar Berria has primarily spread through Instagram, and when guests book a seat, Bayer is the main contact. 'The personality you see on Instagram, in confirmation emails, in the food, and the dining room is all the same. I'm a human, you're a human, and let's communicate like that. I mean it's not too long before the robots take over,' Bayer says. Bar Berria is a casual-but-intimate dinner series. Aidan Kranz His menu descriptions are often just three words to give him flexibility based on what he gets from suppliers, including Nichols Farm, Mick Klüg, Seedling, and Down at the Farms, or the 32 raised bed gardens where wine events are regularly hosted. 'I planted a lot of things that are looking towards the future, so I got a fig tree, a peach tree, pawpaws,' Bayer says. 'We've got four chickens just for eggs, so when everyone was stressing out earlier this year, we were golden.' So far, Bayer has yet to repeat a dish, and he said he's constantly looking for inspiration, constantly reviewing the weekly lists farmers send him, outlining what products they have available as 'maps for the upcoming menus.' It's how he gets the juices flowing. 'Knowing who grew the produce and combining it with something we fermented 12, 18, 24 months ago is what gets us jazzed,' Bayer says. 'Being able to do that and also share that story with guests is what makes us a little different.' The team is small, with Bayer partnering with Emily Abram, who started cooking for him at the Heritage in Forest Park and went on to serve as executive sous chef at Etta and Dusek's. Avondale Bowl managing partner Jeff Wilson, who worked as general manager of the Heritage, helps with front of house. In addition to offering a six-to-10 course tasting menu, Bar Berria collaborates with other chefs for special dinners. They've included Perilla's Andrew Lim and Thomas Carlin of Dove's Luncheonette and Galit, who were looking to experiment with dishes while preparing to open a new restaurant in Evanston. Bar Berria also hosts family-style dinners featuring Slagel Farms chicken, Publican Quality Bread, salad, and seasonal vegetables. Just don't expect the roast chicken Bayer prepared on Beat Bobby Flay, which he learned from Boka Hospitality Group chef Chris Pandel while working at the Bristol. 'That's how I rope everyone in,' Bayer says. 'You won't be getting the as-seen-on-TV chicken at Bar Berria. This process is based on the Peking duck method. It's a five-day process where we blanch, dry, glaze, season, dry again, and then roast them.' Sieger Bayer sources ingredients from local farms and his own garden. Aidan Kranz Bar Berria's menus are ever-changing. Aidan Kranz All of Bar Berria's meals are BYOB. Beaujolais is the go-to suggestion for the chicken dinners and for the tasting menu. Bayer offers ideas in his confirmation emails like, 'Bring a dope sherry to drink out of a cute ass glass,' or 'Bring a Chenin that's got cool acidity and a nice minerality.' He's in no hurry to get a liquor license because diners are drinking less in general, and he wants to keep the meals accessible. 'We always joke when pouring wine guests bring in. 'Here is a beautiful wine from your cellar. Hope you enjoy it.'' Bayer says. 'We laugh, they laugh, it's great. Having a good time is what Bar Berria is all about. This project is us selfishly getting to do all the things we've wanted to do for years. All the creative goofy shit while not having to answer to anyone but us. 'Not to piss anyone [off], but the industry isn't the same. This isn't the industry that I fell in love with,' Bayer explains. 'It's not the industry that I think people deserve. Profits and bottom lines replaced hospitality and generosity. Bar Berria started as a concept that puts hospitality, generosity, and creativity as the leading charge. Maybe we're dumb for thinking that's what people want. Stay tuned.' Eater Chicago All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU pharma chief calls for European Nasdaq to boost biotech innovation
Stefan Oelrich, president of Bayer's pharmaceutical division and newly appointed head of the EU's pharmaceutical lobby EFPIA, pointed out the urgent need for capital market reform to support biotech development in Europe. 'We need the equivalent of a Nasdaq in Europe where we can raise capital for biotech. Because biotech is not just about government finance,' Oelrich said during a press conference last week. Launched in 1971, the Nasdaq (originally the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) was the world's first electronic stock market. Known for its fully electronic trading model, the exchange has historically been attractive to fast-growing sectors, including life science, listing some of the world's largest tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft, and Google. Oelrich argued that Europe must urgently develop a similar equity-driven financing ecosystem. 'Today, there is very limited venture capital available, which is largely due to the way we manage equities. We invest our equities not in venture, but elsewhere,' he said. According to him, the lack of early-stage capital means European biotech innovations often migrate elsewhere — especially to the US, where funding and commercialisation opportunities are more robust. 'The transition from basic research to patented applications tends to follow where the capital is. We must ensure that innovation generated in European universities and research institutions stays in Europe,' he warned. 'Why don't we do it?' His remarks came just ahead of the unveiling of the EU's long-awaited Life Sciences Strategy, which aims to revive Europe's position as a hub for biotech research and development. The strategy acknowledges that the gap in venture capital investment is widening in Europe. It points to the continent's fragmented capital markets and heavy reliance on bank loans, which are often limited in volume and duration, as major structural issues. The strategy also recommends strengthening innovation hubs and integrating them into value chains to better attract private investment. However, it does not place significant emphasis on completing the EU's Capital Markets Union (CMU), a key demand from Oelrich. 'This may sound ambitious, but it's absolutely doable. Interestingly, everyone I talk to recognises the need: So why aren't we acting on it?' Oelrich asked. He also suggested that part of Europe's pension and life insurance capital could be redirected toward venture investment if appropriate political frameworks were put in place. 'Inventions can find a market here as it's not only about a lack of capital in Europe: It's about how we allocate it. We need to do a better job,' he concluded. The broader context The EU's Capital Markets Union remains incomplete, with progress hindered by regulatory divergence, inconsistent enforcement, and political resistance to deeper integration. While the CMU does not directly aim to create new stock exchanges, it does support efforts to expand access to capital, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This improved access could encourage the development of specialised or regional exchanges, though the broader goal remains integration rather than fragmentation. Currently, Europe lacks sector-specific stock exchanges. Major platforms like Euronext, the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse, Nasdaq Nordic, and SIX Swiss Exchange list companies across a wide range of industries. Instead of dedicated exchanges, sector-focused investment is facilitated through indices such as the STOXX Europe 600 family, which tracks sectors like banking, automotive, and leisure. Still, for many in the biotech sector, the absence of a specialised capital-raising platform remains a barrier. Whether the EU will — and can — move to address this remains to be seen. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU pharma chief calls for European Nasdaq to boost biotech innovation
Stefan Oelrich, president of Bayer's pharmaceutical division and newly appointed head of the EU's pharmaceutical lobby EFPIA, pointed out the urgent need for capital market reform to support biotech development in Europe. 'We need the equivalent of a Nasdaq in Europe where we can raise capital for biotech. Because biotech is not just about government finance,' Oelrich said during a press conference last week. Launched in 1971, the Nasdaq (originally the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) was the world's first electronic stock market. Known for its fully electronic trading model, the exchange has historically been attractive to fast-growing sectors, including life science, listing some of the world's largest tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft, and Google. Oelrich argued that Europe must urgently develop a similar equity-driven financing ecosystem. 'Today, there is very limited venture capital available, which is largely due to the way we manage equities. We invest our equities not in venture, but elsewhere,' he said. According to him, the lack of early-stage capital means European biotech innovations often migrate elsewhere — especially to the US, where funding and commercialisation opportunities are more robust. 'The transition from basic research to patented applications tends to follow where the capital is. We must ensure that innovation generated in European universities and research institutions stays in Europe,' he warned. 'Why don't we do it?' His remarks came just ahead of the unveiling of the EU's long-awaited Life Sciences Strategy, which aims to revive Europe's position as a hub for biotech research and development. The strategy acknowledges that the gap in venture capital investment is widening in Europe. It points to the continent's fragmented capital markets and heavy reliance on bank loans, which are often limited in volume and duration, as major structural issues. The strategy also recommends strengthening innovation hubs and integrating them into value chains to better attract private investment. However, it does not place significant emphasis on completing the EU's Capital Markets Union (CMU), a key demand from Oelrich. 'This may sound ambitious, but it's absolutely doable. Interestingly, everyone I talk to recognises the need: So why aren't we acting on it?' Oelrich asked. He also suggested that part of Europe's pension and life insurance capital could be redirected toward venture investment if appropriate political frameworks were put in place. 'Inventions can find a market here as it's not only about a lack of capital in Europe: It's about how we allocate it. We need to do a better job,' he concluded. The broader context The EU's Capital Markets Union remains incomplete, with progress hindered by regulatory divergence, inconsistent enforcement, and political resistance to deeper integration. While the CMU does not directly aim to create new stock exchanges, it does support efforts to expand access to capital, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This improved access could encourage the development of specialised or regional exchanges, though the broader goal remains integration rather than fragmentation. Currently, Europe lacks sector-specific stock exchanges. Major platforms like Euronext, the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse, Nasdaq Nordic, and SIX Swiss Exchange list companies across a wide range of industries. Instead of dedicated exchanges, sector-focused investment is facilitated through indices such as the STOXX Europe 600 family, which tracks sectors like banking, automotive, and leisure. Still, for many in the biotech sector, the absence of a specialised capital-raising platform remains a barrier. Whether the EU will — and can — move to address this remains to be seen. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
