Food company Monsanto said the US Justice Department has closed an inquiry into potential antitrust issues regarding a key ingredient used in the company's top-selling herbicide.
The inquiry, disclosed by Monsanto in March 2003, was concluded with no action required by the St Louis agrochemical company, according to a statement.
In its inquiry, the DOJ had sought information from a number of companies that make and distribute glyphosate, the basic ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
Monsanto's patent for glyphosate expired four years ago, and since then the company's sales have come under increasing pressure from competitive products and pricing.
Shares of Monsanto closed Tuesday trade on the New York Stock Exchange at $36.10.
