Bayer CropScience and the privately-owned company RAGT Semences S.A.S., based in Rodez, France, have signed a license and cooperation agreement.

Under the agreement, RAGT grants Bayer CropScience access to winter wheat germplasm and associated molecular markers.

The French company has one of the strongest winter wheat breeding programs in Europe. In addition, both companies will explore joint projects to further improve wheat breeding and RAGT will have options to license wheat traits from Bayer CropScience. Financial details were not disclosed.

"We are very excited about our partnership with RAGT and the opportunities it will bring in the future. This mutually beneficial agreement will further strengthen the wheat breeding programs of both partners," said Sandra E. Peterson, Chairman and CEO of Bayer CropScience.

"This licensing and cooperation agreement is another important step to achieve our goal: To improve sustainable cereal production with superior solutions based on our leading crop protection portfolio, agricultural service solutions and best in class wheat varieties. These solutions will enable growers to increase the productivity of wheat in a sustainable way addressing challenges like climate change."