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The Commission has approved a proposed divestiture in the matter concerning Bayer AG's (Bayer) acquisition of Aventis CropSciences Holding S.A. (ACS), the crop protection business of Aventis S.A. (Aventis). On November 1, 2002, per the terms of a May 30, 2002 proposed consent order, Bayer petitioned the Commission to approve the divestiture of Bayer's Fipronil Assets (as that term is defined in the order) to BASF AG. Through the action taken today, the Commission has approved that divestiture. The Commission vote to approve the divestiture was 5-0. (FTC File No. 011-0199, Docket No. C4049; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated May 30, 2002 and November 1, 2002.)

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order, and letters to the commenters of record, in the matter concerning the merger of Conoco Inc., et al. and Phillips Petroleum Co. The Commission vote to approve the final consent order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 021-0040, Docket No. C4058; staff contact is Phillip L. Broyles, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2805; see press release dated August 30, 2002.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

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