EU regulators to decide on Bunge and Viterra’s $34 bln deal by July 18

BRUSSELS, June 17 (Reuters) – U.S. grains merchant Bunge and Glencore-backed (GLEN.L), opens new tab Viterra’s plan to create a $34 billion agricultural trading giant will be decided by EU antitrust regulators by July 18, a European Commission filing showed on Monday.

The companies announced their merger a year ago to rival global giants Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM.N), opens new tab and Cargill (CARG.UL).

The Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, can either clear the deal with or without remedies after its preliminary review or it can open a four-month investigation if it has serious concerns.

Bunge Chief Executive Greg Heckman has said the company may be able to avoid having to sell assets to win regulatory approval thanks to healthy competition in commodities market in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, China and parts of Europe.

The Canadian competition watchdog, however, has cited major concerns while farm groups voiced similar worries.