Bayer Environmental Science Voluntarily Recalling Allectus(TM) Granular Products

Bayer Environmental Science Voluntarily Recalling Allectus(TM)
Granular Products 


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 26  /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Environmental
Science announced today it is voluntarily issuing a recall of Allectus(TM) G
and Allectus(TM) GC granular products due to visible defects in the packaging.
The company asserts that the recall pertains strictly to a packaging issue and
is not a product issue in terms of efficacy or performance.  There is no known
health or safety risk associated with the packaging problem.

"We believe strongly in product stewardship and felt that this was the
responsible and ethical action to take," stated Dan Carrothers, Vice President,
Chipco(R) Professional Products, Bayer Environmental Science.  "We regret that
this incident has occurred and we will take measures to be sure that this does
not happen again."

The company is conducting a thorough investigation of the problem and involving
the proper government authorities in the process.  Bayer is currently
communicating to its customers the steps for the proper collection and return
of the product.

A solvent, benzyl alcohol, in the granular formulation of Allectus is
permeating and delaminating the packaging.  This is causing the ink on the
printed label to smudge and become illegible.  There have been no reported
cases of ruptured bags or other packaging issues.  In addition to the recall,
Bayer is placing an immediate stop-sale of Allectus G and Allectus GC until the
packaging problem is rectified.  Approximately 3,000 bags of Allectus granular
products are estimated to be affected by the voluntary recall.

Key packaging and formulation personnel at Bayer have secured samples and are
examining how and why this occurred.  Bayer voluntarily contacted the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and state regulatory
bodies to advise them of their actions.  The company is continuing to work with
authorities to ensure that proper procedures are being followed as they
investigate the cause of this packaging problem.

"We have reviewed technical data on Allectus and its ingredients and nothing
indicates a cause for concern related to exposure," explained Karen Shearer,
Director, North America Regulatory Affairs.  "The EPA's assessment indicates
there is little or no exposure risk in handling Allectus."  To date, there have
been no known cases where handling the product has resulted in exposure.  As
with the handling of any chemical, Bayer Environmental Science strongly
recommends the use of basic safety precautions.  The company recommends that
anyone handling recalled bags of Allectus should wear long pants and a
long-sleeved shirt and protective gloves made of materials such as rubber,
neoprene, or PVC.

End user customers can ask their distributors for Allectus(TM) SC or
Allectus(TM) SC GC to use as a replacement product, or they can simply get a
refund for the returned granular product.  Bayer is informing customers about
the recall of this product through e-mail notices, certified letters, and a
posting on the Bayer Environmental Science website
(http://www.bayerprocentral.com/).  Customers can also contact the customer
service hotline at 800-331-2867.

Bayer Environmental Science is a division of Bayer CropScience LP, a member of
the worldwide Bayer Group, a $27 billion international health care and
chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany.  The Bayer Group stock is a
component of the DAX and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker
symbol: BAY).  For more information on Bayer Environmental Science, call
919-549-2000 or visit us online at http://www.bayerprocentral.com/.  Bayer
Environmental Science, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management.  Various known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material
differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development
or performance of the company and the estimates given here.  These factors
include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

DATASOURCE: Bayer Environmental Science



CONTACT:  Matt Broscious, Tierney Communications, [phone], for

Bayer Environmental Science; or Jennifer Remsberg, Bayer Environmental

Science, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.bayerprocentral.com/ 

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