Bayer’s bid may cause German anger
Bayer’s proposed mega deal to buy Monsanto is likely to create a mega public relations challenge for the German company at home.
Bayer faces a backlash against Germany’s biggest planned acquisition because of two products from the St. Louis-based company that are widely detested in the country: genetically modified seeds and the weedkiller Roundup, which uses a compound called glyphosate that some believe can cause cancer.
“Germans view Monsanto as the main example of American corporate evil,” said Heike Moldenhauer, a biotechnology expert at German environmental group BUND. “It may not be such a good idea to take over Monsanto as that means incorporating its bad reputation, which would also make Bayer more vulnerable.”
A German Environment Ministry study found 75 percent of citizens are against genetic engineering of plants and animals. Aware of voter suspicions, members of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partner, the Social Democrats, have already come out against the deal, which would turn Bayer into the biggest supplier of farm chemicals. Monsanto, which has a market value of $42 billion, said Thursday it’s studying the offer. Neither party has disclosed the terms.
A merger would “strengthen the economic power of genetic engineering in Germany, which we see as very problematic as the majority of the population in Germany is opposed to the technology,” said Elvira DrobinskiWeiss, the lawmaker responsible for formulating policy positions on genetic engineering for the Social Democrats.
BASF four years ago abandoned research into genetically modified crops in Germany, citing a lack of acceptance for it in many parts of Europe from consumers and farmers. The German company moved the unit to the U.S. and halted development of products targeted for Europe to focus on crops for the Americas and Asia.
Bayer is no stranger to the public outcry that crop chemicals can cause, and has been under fire itself for the use of two chemicals that some claim are responsible for the dying off of bees.