Transparency in Crop Science

Bayer has a responsibility to farmers, consumers, and the planet. While we have always held ourselves to a high standard, we aim to lead our industry in transparency, so the public has the ability to see for themselves how we evaluate the safety of our products and use the data to support the accuracy of our claims.

We aspire to foster an open dialogue on our products and innovation. We started by enabling public access to our studies and submission documents. Next, we opened our labs so others can see first-hand how our studies are conducted. And now, we are sharing our internal product safety standards to shed light on how we determine how products can be used safely.

Through these efforts, we aim to show our scientific rigor and commitment when it comes to the safety of our products. We hope to connect you with our scientific community so that, together, we can break down the barriers to science.

Why do we believe in transparency?

We believe the public has a right to see the science that underpins the safety of our products that might be used either to produce their food or to combat weed, insect, disease or other challenges near where they live. We are committed to science and are proud of the work our scientists do. We set high ethical standards that represent how we measure ourselves and our partners. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more answers or email cropscience-transparency@bayer.com.

What are we disclosing?

For pesticides or genetically modified crops that we sell, we make available the safety study summaries that we submit to regulatory agencies. We also give access to full study reports for non-commercial use. Between these, the public can review for themselves all of the science underpinning claims of safety for our products.

We are also sharing our internal product safety standards to shed light on how we determine how products can be used safely.

View Crop Protection Safety Results

View Crop Protection Safety Standards

View GM Crops Safety Results

We are also opening our doors via our OpenLabs program, which allows visitors to connect with our scientists and watch them carry out a safety study live in our labs and in the field.

View OpenLabs

In addition, we are facilitating access to information – including official documents and data – on the procedure to grant emergency authorizations for crop protection products, including why this process is so important for European agriculture.

View information on Emergency Authorizations of Crop Protection Products

Why Transparency?

Companies do not typically share the results of their studies with the general public, as much of the information is considered commercially sensitive. While the information may be sensitive, we believe it can foster open, science-based dialogue and support the confidence in the safety of our products. Therefore, we aim to remove any barriers to accessing the detailed information on the safety of our products. By enabling access to product safety study information and regulatory submission documents in parallel with background materials and information on our crop protection safety standards, we strive to foster an open, science-based dialogue on products and techniques used in modern agriculture as well as on the regulatory systems that approve their use.

Learn More

Crop Protection

We believe in the integrity of our science and we want you to see for yourself why that is. Learn more about the process behind our safety studies here.

Human Safety

Determining the safe use of pesticides

Residues in Food

Is our Food Safe?

Benefits of Crop Protection

Why Do We Need Pesticides?

Regulatory Process

Bringing Crop Protection Products to the Market

Environmental Safety

Pesticides in the Environment

Crop Protection Safety Results

Crop Protection Safety Standards

Learn More

Genetically Modified Crops

According to the World Health Organization, “GM Crops” are generated by genetic modification allowing selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another – this technology is referred to as genetic engineering or genetic modification. Plant breeders use this technology (“modern biotechnology”) to introduce traits into plants. We understand that you might have questions about our GM crop products. We invite you to learn more about our GM crops and the process behind the submission documents and safety summaries, the regulatory process to achieve a product authorization and the benefits of GM crops here. Note: GM Crops are currently grown in 26 nations around the world, and are approved for import in 70 countries. Currently, Bayer commercializes genetically modified traits in canola, corn (maize), cotton, soybeans, and squash, but cultivation and import vary by country according to each country or regional regulation. These crops are used mainly for animal feed and in the clothing industry (cotton). For more information, please visit the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

Transparency

Safety of GM Crops

Transparency

The Regulatory Process of GM Crops

Transparency

Benefits of GM Crops

GM Crop Safety Documents

Biochemistry in a lab. Young plants organized in rows.

Emergency Authorizations of Crop Protection Products

Crop protection products are usually approved via the standard regulatory process in each jurisdiction. However, there can be exceptions – called ‘emergency authorizations’ – in exceptional situations. We understand that you might have questions around emergency authorizations of crop protection products. We want to help facilitate access to information, including resources provided by EU bodies, with the webpages below.