"Human rights activists complain to OECD about Bayer over glyphosate", 25 April 2024

An alliance of Misereor and five other organizations announced in Berlin on Thursday that they had filed a complaint with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Bayer is demanding an agricultural model that leads to food insecurity, water scarcity, extreme deforestation, health risks and land conflicts at the expense of indigenous peoples and small farmers. The company is therefore in breach of the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. The complaint relates to cases in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. Bayer rejected the allegations. [...]

In Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, more than half of the agricultural land is cultivated with soybean seeds. Glyphosate is used for this in turn. Bayer sells both products, i.e. the seeds and glyphosate products. [...]

In response to the allegations, a Bayer spokesperson emphasized that product safety is always Bayer's top priority. "In numerous safety and approval studies on our products, we have clearly demonstrated on the basis of sound scientific evidence that our products are safe when used properly in accordance with the instructions for use and that neither people nor the environment are exposed to an unacceptable risk," explained the Bayer spokesperson.

The crop protection products are "thoroughly tested for their mode of action, their toxicological properties and the extent of possible residues in plants and in the environment". Approval studies are based on the strict international guidelines of the OECD. Extensive training courses are also held for farmers. Bayer is not aware of the incidents from South America mentioned in the study, said the spokesperson, and generally pointed out that the respective authorities are responsible for the framework conditions for agriculture in the countries concerned. [...]

[T]he OECD now has three months to examine the complaint. After that, the complaints procedure could take up to a year. The critics and Bayer are to talk to each other in a mediation process...