Monsanto a focus of U.S. antitrust investigation

ST. LOUIS -- Monsanto Co. says the Justice Department is investigating whether it violated antitrust rules in trying to expand its dominance of the market for genetically engineered crops.

The department's investigation of Monsanto is part of a previously announced inquiry into consolidation in the seed industry. It focuses on the company's licensing agreements with seed companies.

St. Louis-based Monsanto is the world's biggest seed company.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny the investigation.