Bayer issued a statement today saying it has stopped all spending in Russia and Belarus that is not related to supplying essential products in health and agriculture as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Bayer will be:
- Suspending all advertising and other promotional activities.
- Halting capital investment projects indefinitely.
- Not pursuing any new business opportunities.
“We have also heard voices calling for a complete stop of delivery of all our products to Russia and Belarus. We understand these concerns as the war raises moral and ethical issues for every company,” the statement reads.
“Our position is that this senseless war has already taken many lives. As a life science company, we have an ethical obligation — in every country we operate in. Withholding essential health and agriculture products from the civilian populations — like cancer or cardiovascular treatments, health products for pregnant women and children as well as seeds to grow food — would only multiply the war’s ongoing toll on human life,” Bayer goes on to state.
“In a recent statement on the invasion of Ukraine, the G7 agricultural ministers made clear that any increase in food price levels and volatility in international markets could threaten food security and nutrition at a global scale and would especially affecting the most vulnerable. By supplying farmers around the globe, we want to support protecting food supply chains from further disruption and help to prevent what could be an unprecedented food crisis.”
More than two weeks have passed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the statement notes.
“From the outset, we have utterly condemned this brutal aggression against a sovereign country. Our hearts ache as we see the devastation and death affecting innocent civilians, including children. Thousands have been killed or wounded, millions are fleeing the country, and the humanitarian situation of those who stay is deteriorating by the hour. We stand by the people of Ukraine who can fully count on our solidarity and support.”
For more on this topic:
Buhler Announces Changes to its Board in Response to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Seed World Group: Standing with Ukraine
G7 Ag Ministers Condemn Russian Aggression, Call for Food Security in Ukraine to be Protected
