CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. government is suing planting systems manufacturers, alleging a proposed acquisition is illegal.
The United States of America filed a complaint Aug. 31 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division against Deere & Company, Precision Planting LLC and Mosanto Company, alleging a proposed acquisition will violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
According to the complaint, the proposed acquisition could result in higher prices of high-speed precision planting systems, and farmers will suffer financial damages if they pay higher prices for the specialized planting equipment.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants' planned acquisition, if permitted, would substantially reduce competition in the market of high-speed precision planting systems and would create in complete monopoly.
The U.S. government seeks a trial by jury, an order to permanently enjoin and restrain defendants from carrying out the planned acquisition, award for costs of this action and all other relief the court deems just and proper. It is represented by attorneys William H. Jones, II, Pamela P. Cole, Robin S. Crauthers, Andrew J. Ewalt, Steven Kramer, Ann Lucas, Michael Rabkin, Kelsy W. Shannon, Adam C. Speegle, Paul J. Torzilli and Jeffrey G. Vernon of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division Case number 1:16-cv-08515