Bayer, which now includes Monsanto, will continue to defend itself from lawsuits alleging that the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup does not cause cancer, the company’s CEO told financial analysts in a teleconference Thursday.

BASF has completed its acquisition of most of the businesses and assets from Bayer that the company was required to divest as part of its purchase of Monsanto.

Bayer has agreed to sell off approximately $9 billion in businesses and assets to BASF in order to gain approval of its purchase of Monsanto, the Justice Department announced today.

Far-reaching restrictions on three neonicotinoid insecticides in the European Union have been upheld by the EU’s general court, prompting criticism from neonic manufacturers Syngenta and Bayer, and praise from environmental groups.

Bayer's proposed acquisition of Monsanto is still subject to pending regulatory approval, but the company announced the selection of a new Executive Leadership Team for the Crop Science Division, which will go into effect as of the closing.