Corporate Governance

Political Disclosures

Bayer is committed to participating constructively and transparently in the political process, as such participation is essential to the Company's long-term success. Our approach on corporate political contributions is driven by the significant impact that public policy decisions can have on our business and on the interests of our stakeholders. Some of the policy-related matters we add our voice to include trade, environmental, tax and patent laws and regulations directly affecting Bayer, as well as its employees, customers, and stakeholders.

 

We are also proud of the long history regarding the quality and safety of our products and we have opposed bills, ballot initiatives, and ordinances that have sought to ban them, despite their highly regarded safety profiles. As a company committed to bringing new, valuable products, services, and technologies to consumers while creating value for shareowners, as well as furthering our sustainability mission, it is essential that Bayer be involved in the political process to provide information for policy makers about our industry's issues. We believe that well-informed decision makers are the basis for good government.

 

In the following sections you will find information about the decision-making and corporate governance processes regarding Bayer’s political activity.

 

Corporate Contributions

Bayer participation in the U.S. political process includes contributions to political candidates in a manner that is compliant with all applicable federal and state laws and reporting requirements. U.S. federal law prohibits corporations from making direct or indirect contributions to candidates or political parties at the federal level. Bayer’s political contributions at the U.S. state level are limited to those states where such contributions are permitted. All political contributions are made without regard to the private political preferences of our company’s executives and include consideration of Bayer’s interests in legislative or policy-related activity, company facilities and employees in the state, and local political factors. Our Bayer Good Government Panel (BGGP) supports political issues and candidates consistent with Bayer’s policy objectives, promotes the election of responsible, qualified candidates to public office, regardless of party affiliation, and supports candidates for office, political parties, or other political committees in cases where the views of those candidates or entities are in general agreement with those of Bayer.

 

Effective governance processes are in place to oversee political contributions made by the company. We have established effective governance processes including oversight by the US Country Council regarding political contributions made by our company. Our Board created the BGGP to oversee and guide our political contributions in those states where contributions are permitted. Bayer contributions are approved in accordance with the BFFP’s Operating Policies and Procedures reviewed by an external political compliance vendor and reported to the US Country Council.

 

Bayer has not utilized Bayer Good Government funds or corporate treasury funds for “independent expenditures” (as defined under applicable law) related to any federal or state election. If Bayer did change its general guidelines to allow such expenditures, we would disclose them on our website, as we do for every other type of contribution, in accordance with our intent to have as transparent a process as possible. We disclose the rare instance in which a 501(c)(4) contribution has been made under state political contribution ethics laws.

 

The reports below are Monsanto Company’s corporate contributions since January of 2010. Bayer did not make corporate contributions between 2010 and 2019. Moving forward, Bayer Good Government Fund (BGGF) reports will be posted on this website.

 

BGGF July 1, 2020-December 31, 2020 Contributions

BGGF January 1, 2020-June 30, 2020 Contributions

MGGF July 1, 2019-December 31, 2019 Contributions (.xlsx 37 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2019-June 2019 Contributions (.pdf 400 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2018-December 2018 (.pdf 365 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2018 - June 2018 (.pdf 120 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2017 - December 2017 (.pdf 395 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2017 - June 2017 (.pdf 238 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2016 - December 2016 (.pdf 366 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2016 - June 2016 (.pdf 321 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2015 - December 2015 (.pdf 270 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2015 - June 2015 (.pdf 419 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2014 - December 2014 (.pdf 90 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2014 - June 2014 (.pdf 63 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2013 - December 2013 (.pdf 90 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2013 - June 2013 (.pdf 285 KB)

Monsanto’s July 2012 - December 2012 (.pdf 936 KB)

Monsanto’s Jan 2012 - June 2012 (.pdf 570 KB)

Monsanto’s 2011 Contributions (.pdf 642K)

Monsanto’s 2010 Contributions (.pdf 683K)

 

Additional information can be found in public reports filed by candidates with state agencies by clicking on the individual state links listed here.

 

Bayer Corporation Political Action Committee

Bayer’s political action committee, the BAYERPAC, is legally authorized to participate in the political process at the federal and state levels. The BAYERPAC participation in the political process includes contributions to political candidates in a manner that is compliant with all applicable U.S. federal and state laws and reporting requirements. All BAYERPAC contributions are completely funded through voluntary contributions made by eligible Bayer employees. The BAYERPAC supports candidates consistent with Bayer's policy objectives, without regard to personal political preferences of company executives. The BAYERPAC promotes the election of responsible, qualified candidates to public office, regardless of party affiliation. It may also support political parties or other political committees in cases where the views of those entities are in general agreement with those of the company. Bayer has not utilized BAYERPAC funds for "independent expenditures," (as defined by applicable law) related to any federal or state election. If Bayer were to change its general guidelines to allow such expenditures, we would disclose them on our website.

 

Effective governance processes are in place to oversee political contributions made by the BAYERPAC. The BAYERPAC’s board of directors consists of employees from various functions within the Company. All disbursements for political contributions to candidates or political committees at the federal, state and local levels require approval of the board, and all related activities are reviewed by an external political compliance vendor.

 

Political Action Committee Contributions

The reports below are the Bayer Corporation (US) political action committee’s contributions since January of 2015.

 

Bayer’s July - December 2018 (.pdf 30 KB)

Bayer’s January-June 2018 (.pdf 34 KB)

Bayer’s July-December 2017 (.pdf 36 KB)

Bayer’s January-June 2017 (.pdf 37 KB)

Bayer’s July - December 2016 (.pdf 42 KB)

Bayer’s January - June 2016 (.pdf 45 KB)

Bayer’s July - December 2015 (.pdf 36 KB)

Bayer’s January - June 2015 (.pdf 31 KB)

 

The reports below are Monsanto Company political action committee’s contributions since January of 2013.

 

Monsanto’s July - December 2018 (.pdf 70 KB)

Monsanto’s January-June 2018 (.pdf 101 KB)

Monsanto’s July - December 2017 (.pdf 61 KB)

Monsanto’s January - June 2017 (.pdf 96.6 KB)

Monsanto’s January - June 2016 (.pdf 141KB)

Monsanto’s July - December 2016 (.pdf 150KB)

Monsanto’s January - June 2015 (.pdf 111KB)

Monsanto’s July - December 2015 (.pdf 114KB)

Monsanto’s 2013 - 2014 Cycle Report (.pdf 87KB)

 

Additional information can be found on public disclosure websites. The BAYERPAC’s federal contributions are fully disclosed in public reports filed with the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Congress. These reports can be found on their websites www.FEC.gov and www.disclosures.house.gov. Additional BAYERPAC state contribution disclosure information can also be found in public reports filed by candidates with state agencies by clicking on the individual state links listed.

 

Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) Compliance

In compliance with the LDA, Bayer files quarterly lobbying reports (LD2s) to the U.S. Congress which publicly disclose all federal lobbying activities. In accordance with the LDA guidelines, Bayer includes in its LD2 filings all expenses related to lobbying, including: (1) portions of employee salaries that were spent on lobbying activities or preparing to lobby; (2) fees paid to contract lobbyists; (3) portions of trade association dues that are deemed nondeductible and are related to lobbying activities; (4) overhead costs; and (5) travel. Bayer also publicly discloses in these reports all issues that the company is currently lobbying and which political entities it is lobbying. In addition, to comply with the HLOGA, Bayer and all employee registered lobbyists file semi-annual reports disclosing any federal political contributions aggregating two hundred dollars or more and certifying that they have complied with all political gift rules. Below, please find the past year’s data from both Bayer and the Monsanto Company.

 

Bayer’s LD2 Q1-2018 (.pdf 384 KB)

Bayer’s LD2 Q2-2018 (.pdf 423 KB)

Bayer’s LD2 Q3-2018 (.pdf 410 KB)

Bayer’s LD2 LD2 Q4-2018 (.pdf 373 KB)

 

Monsanto’s LD2 1st Quarter 2018 (.pdf 396 KB)

Monsanto’s LD2 2nd Quarter 2018 (.pdf 332 KB)

Monsanto’s LD2 3rd Quarter 2018 (.pdf 145 KB)

Monsanto’s LD2 4th Quarter 2018 (.pdf 133 KB)