Commission's plan will not have a positive impact on bee health

Monheim, April 29, 2013 - Bayer CropScience considers the decision by the Commission of the European Union to restrict the use of neonicotinoid-containing products across Europe as a set-back for technology, innovation and sustainability. In an Appeals Committee meeting today, only half of the EU Member States supported the Commission's proposal for the restrictions. The company believes that the plan by the Commission will not have a positive impact on bee health.

The company is concerned that the restriction of these neonicotinoids will result in crop yield losses, reduced food quality and loss of competitiveness for European agriculture. This will have a negative impact on farmers, R&D driven ag companies, the seed industry and the food value chain.

As a science-based company, Bayer CropScience is disappointed that clear scientific evidence has taken a back-seat in the decision making process. This disproportionate decision is a missed opportunity to reach a solution that takes into consideration all of the existing product stewardship measures and broad stakeholder concerns. The further reduction of effective crop protection products will put at risk farmers' ability to tackle important pests that can severely restrict their ability to grow high-quality food.

Bayer CropScience remains convinced that neonicotinoids are safe for bees, when used responsibly and properly, according to label instructions. The company will work together with all relevant stakeholders and authorities in the Member States to handle the complex consequences of this decision, to further support its customers.

About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. This year the company looks back on 150 years of working to fulfill its mission "Bayer: Science For A Better Life". Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 8,383 million (2012) and is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 20,800 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

Find more information at www.bayercropscience.com.
More information on the Bayer Bee Care program can be found at www.beecare.bayer.com.

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