Our Principles

Farm sustainably

The world faces difficult challenges. Population growth. An increasing demand for food, feed, fiber and renewable raw materials. Limited natural resources. Climate change.

We believe that sustainable farming is the best way to overcome these challenges. That's why we have made it an integral part of our business.

Sustainable farming can only be achieved on the basis of functioning ecosystems, which is why protecting natural resources such as biodiversity, soil and water is one of our main objectives.

We promote sustainability principles through our Responsible Care and Product Stewardship efforts, and by defending human rights.

Use products responsibly

Our products have to be safe for the farmers who use them, for the land, for the environment, and for the consumers. We've adopted a life-cycle approach that addresses all major aspects of responsible product management. This includes research, development, registration, plant breeding, production, packaging, labeling, distribution, marketing and branding, sales, handling, application, storage, and transport including empty product containers and product waste disposal.

We run programs and training courses to encourage the greatest possible care in handling our crop protection products.

Our principles are based on the International FAO Policy of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (revised version of 2013), the CropLife International Plant Biotechnology Policy of Conduct and the Guidelines referred to therein. But they go far beyond the requirements of current legislation.

In this way, we have created a framework for the responsible use of our products in sustainable farming.

Innovate for a sustainable future

We are continuously innovating so that our seeds and crop protection solutions as well as our customer, services support the sustainable development of farming.

The needs of customers change, and so do the conditions out in the field and in the market. So we innovate. Our products gain better safety profiles, optimized biological effectiveness and improved environmental behavior.

In addition to helping plants to withstand pests and diseases, we're also working to make crops more tolerant to stress factors such as drought or nutrient deficiencies. We're improving the taste and convenience of vegetables. And we want to do more than just supply the growing world population with sufficient high-quality foods at affordable prices: the crops of the future must also be better suited to more environmentally friendly and climate-adapted agricultural methods, using less water and producing higher yields.

Promote human rights

We unequivocally promote the realization of human rights. We firmly believe that respect for people is essential to achieving lasting business excellence.

The main areas we address are: 'Employees and working conditions,' 'Harassment and discrimination,' 'Freedom of association and collective bargaining,' 'Child labor,' and 'Health and safety.'

The Bayer Group sees itself as a responsible corporate citizen. We support the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a number of globally recognized declarations for multinational corporations. We fully endorse the principles of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, of which Bayer AG is a founding member.

We naturally also respect the sovereignty of individual states in implementing human rights.

Stop child labor

Child labor is mentally, emotionally and physically harmful. It is socially unacceptable and ethically indefensible. We do not tolerate child labor. And our zero tolerance policy applies across our supply chain.

This is of particular significance in those countries where child labor is still very widespread, such as India. Children there are often put to work in seed production on small farms.

We have therefore developed a child protection program in India to demonstrate that it is possible to produce cotton seed without child labor. Wherever necessary, we take corrective action to systematically eliminate child labor on fields producing for Bayer.

We believe that eradicating child labor is essential to the advancement of a society.

Be good people to work with

Our success depends on being accepted as a responsible partner. So we maintain and promote dialogues with the people we work with. This helps us to discover their motivations and provides us with ideas for the future.

We are aware that complex global challenges cannot be overcome by any one of us. All major stakeholders in society and along the agricultural value chain must pool their skills and that's why we actively contribute to partnerships in all areas where our expertise can be effectively applied.

Preserve biodiversity

Our planet is hungry. Hungry for agricultural raw materials. We need a reliable supply of food now and in the future. Our goal is to increase agricultural productivity. So we must protect the biodiversity of our agricultural ecosystems and surrounding landscapes and intensify farming on existing cropland. We believe that any loss of biodiversity poses a risk to our society comparable to climate change.

The preservation of biodiversity is integrated into our research and development and the maintenance of agricultural ecosystems is promoted through integrated crop management. This holistic approach aims to create a balance between the economic, social and ecological dimensions of sustainability. This is how we put our principles into practice.

Use plant biotechnology

We believe in the responsible use of plant biotechnology to improve the productivity and quality of crop plants.

Biotechnology is used hand-in-hand with traditional plant breeding. Tools such as marker-assisted breeding and genetic modification can be used to make plants more resistant to pests and environmental stress conditions, thus helping to increase the yield and quality of food, feed, fibers and renewable raw materials in an environmentally friendly way.

It goes without saying that we use plant biotechnology in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards. And we're always open to constructive dialogue with our stakeholders on this issue.

Use water efficiently

Water is a resource that's coming under pressure from population growth and climate change. Farming accounts for some 70 per cent of water consumption worldwide, and that's why we've made water management a priority. This means improving water protection and the more efficient use of water, both in farming and in our company's operations.

We can make irrigation more efficient and develop technologies for rain-fed farming and soil management. Also we can develop plant varieties and products that help plants make better use of what water there is.

And, of course, we are consistently implementing water-saving programs within our company.

Market and sell products in a responsible manner

We are committed to sales and marketing practices which comply with the Bayer Corporate Policy "Responsible Marketing & Sales".

In addition we are committed to comply with the following rules and standards:
With the "Bayer CropScience Product Stewardship Policy and Key Requirements" we have adopted a life-cycle approach that addresses all major aspects of responsible product management. This includes research, development, registration, plant breeding, production, packaging, labeling, distribution, marketing/ branding, sales, handling, application, storage, and transport including empty product containers and product/waste disposal. It is, inter alia, based on the International FAO Policy of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (revised version of 2002), the Croplife International Plant Biotechnology Policy of Conduct and the Guidelines referred to therein.

Company

Products & Innovation

Sustainable Crop Solutions

Farm sustainably

Use products responsibly

Innovate for a sustainable future

Promote human rights

Stop child labor

Be good people to work with

Preserve biodiversity

Use plant biotechnology

Use water efficiently

Market and sell products in a responsible manner

Search

Global Link

Bayer Sustainable Development Report

Downloads

Bayer CropScience Child Care Program

Investing in the future of our children

Responsible Marketing and Sales

Product Stewardship - Policy and Key Requirements

QHSE Policy of Bayer CropScience