Is it true that Bayer has just sued the European Commission to overturn a ban on the pesticides that are killing bees around the world? If so, how does Bayer justify this lawsuit?

Expert response from Gerhart Marchand

General Counsel / Head of Law, Patents and Compliance of Bayer Crop Science

Thursday, 12/09/2013 13:27

In May of this year, the European Commission restricted the use of three neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid and clothianidin, which are the basis of leading insecticides. We have asked the General Courts of the European Union to provide clarity on the conditions under which the European Commission may take a decision to withdraw previously granted registrations. We believe that the Commission has stepped beyond the legal limitations defined by the Plant protection Regulation. Asking for review by courts is a fundamental legal right.