By Pietro Lombardi

Bayer AG has decided to sell its Environmental Science Professional business as part of changes to implement the strategy of its Crop Science division

The German pharmaceutical and chemical conglomerate said Wednesday that the business had sales of around 600 million euros ($729.1 million) in 2019, adding that the divestment will help the division focus on its core agricultural business.

The company also announced some leadership changes, including the appointment of Jacqueline Applegate to lead the Crop Science North America region starting in March.

"With the announced portfolio and leadership changes, and important new product approvals for soybeans, corn and cotton in the Americas, we are now shifting gears from integration to growth acceleration," Liam Condon, president of the Crop Science division, said.

Write to Pietro Lombardi at pietro.lombardi@wsj.com; @pietrolombard10

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-24-21 1100ET