Corporate Governance

Political Disclosures

US capitol in Washington

 

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 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 no longer makes corporate contributions to political parties, politicians, or candidates running for political office. Bayer dissolved the Bayer Good Government Panel in 2021 and no longer utilizes Bayer Good Government funds or corporate treasury funds for “independent expenditures” (as defined under applicable law) related to any federal or state election. 

 

Below is an historical list of corporate contributions made for the years the Bayer Good Government Fund was active.

 

BGGF July 1, 2020-December 31, 2020 Contributions

BGGF January 1, 2020-June 30, 2020 Contributions

 

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

 

Bayer U.S. Employee Political Action Committee

Bayer’s U.S. Employee political action committee, BAYERPAC, is legally authorized to participate in the political process at the federal and state levels. 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 funded solely through voluntary contributions made by eligible Bayer employees. Bayer does not utilize 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 BAYERPAC. BAYERPAC’s board of directors consists of employees from various functions within the company, and all disbursements for political contributions to candidates or political committees require approval of the board. Further, all related activities are reviewed by an external political compliance vendor.

 

BAYERPAC Contributions

The reports below are the Bayer U.S. Employee political action committee's most recent contributions. 

September 2024 (PDF 504.58 KB)
August 2024 (PDF 432.02 KB)
July 2024 (PDF 469.3 KB)

 

Additional information can be found on public disclosure websites. 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 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 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (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 most recent LDA reports. 

Additional reports can be found on public disclosure websites, or via the Secretary of the U.S. Senate or Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, or by clicking here: https://ida.senate.gov/system/public/