Justice Department Approves Bayer-Monsanto Deal but Requires Asset Sales

Bayer to unload about $9 billion in assets to address antitrust concerns in seed and crop production

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department granted antitrust approval Tuesday to Bayer AG’s planned acquisition of Monsanto Co., after requiring the company to sell off about $9 billion in assets in order to preserve competition.

The department said the divestitures agreed to by Bayer are the largest ever in a U.S. merger-approval settlement. Rival BASF SE is buying the assets.

Under...