Meine Damen und Herren.
I am Nicole van Gemert from the organisation Foodwatch, speaking as an authorised representative and would like to speak on the ethical and political dilemmas regarding Bayer.
I’ll get straight to the point. At Foodwatch, based in several countries including Germany, we fight for safe and healthy food for all.
It goes without saying that we are committed to pesticide-free agriculture. Our crop-by-crop approach for a toxic-free Europe proves that this is possible. I understand that the missions of foodwatch and Bayer are miles apart, but as far as we are concerned, we should find common ground in stopping the export of pesticides, that are life-threatening to humans and the environment to countries in the Global South. Pesticides, that we have banned here in Germany and Europe are being exported to farmers that are completely dependent on them. I ask the Management Board to listen to numerous members of civil society to stop this toxic boomerang.
And if you don’t mind the consequences outside Europe, perhaps our recent study is convincing, that detected the presence of 140 banned pesticides in products such as bananas, mangoes and herbs sold in Germany.
Stopping this export would not have a significant impact on the European economy, but would protect the health of European citizens and that of the population of Soutern countries, thereby preventing, among other things, irreversible damage to the environment.
Speaking of ethics, I appreciate the efforts Bayer does to find a cure for Parkinsons, but couldn’t you save that money, if you would stop the production of glyphosate? Isn’t it time to acknowledge that parkinsons disease is also caused by this herbicide?
Wouldn’t Bayer, in these financial difficult times, stop their costly efforts that make it impossible for people to seek justice when they are ill? Now in the United States, soon perhaps here in Europe?
Not a word today about the scientifically proven harmfulness of glyphosate and other pesticides. I find it bizarre that the speech of Mister Anderson is dominated by Bayer’s attempts to control the damage. Damage control for damage that has been caused knowingly and deliberately by Bayer.
I am asking the shareholders today: can you look at yourself in the mirror, if The US Supreme Court will accept the petition filed by Bayer, regarding glyphosate litigation?
I am asking today, to stop producing glyphosate.
I would therefore like to call on the shareholders not to approve the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board and instead to vote in favour of the counter-motions of the Coordination against BAYER Dangers.
Danke
