Bayer Crop Science and JDA look for new use for plant.

PRESS RELEASE


May 16, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Camden County Joint Development Authority

912-729-7201


Bayer and JDA Meet in Camden
to Discuss Future of Woodbine Facility

Camden County, GA - May 16, 2011

Bayer Crop Science LP ("Bayer") executives met recently with representatives of the Camden County Joint Development Authority ("JDA") and the Georgia Department of Economic Development ("State") to discuss future plans for Bayer's Woodbine, Georgia facility; which is scheduled to close this summer. Bayer announced plans last year to phase-out production of the pesticide Temik, which is produced solely at the Woodbine facility.

Temik has protected crops throughout the world for more than 40 years. Disruption of the supply of a key ingredient of Temik recently accelerated the planned phase-out and closure of the Woodbine facility; affecting a local workforce of 84 personnel and an annual payroll of nearly $7.5 Million.

The parties met in the offices of the JDA. Those in attendance from Bayer Crop Science included: Bill Buckner, President and CEO; Diane Pinsker, VP Business Development; Eddie Ingram, State Affairs Manager - Eastern Region; and John Drew, the Woodbine plant manager. Local and state officials at the meeting included David Keating, Executive Director of the Camden County Joint Development Authority and Alyce Thornhill, regional project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The discussions were very productive and focused on opportunities for Bayer, the JDA, and State to work together and explore a new future for the closing facility. The Woodbine property is unique and features over 800 upland acres with deep water access to the Atlantic Ocean. The site is a secure facility improved with a variety of buildings and infrastructure, located just seven miles north of the State of Florida with convenient access to Interstate 95. Bayer plans to place the property on the market at some point in the new future.

According to Bill Buckner, President and CEO of Bayer CropScience, "A decision to close a facility is never an easy one because of the people and communities impacted. We've appreciated the local support and were pleased to spend the time with the people from JDA and the state to discuss future possibilities."

According to David Keating, Executive Director of the JDA, "I want to thank Mr. Buckner and the members of his executive team for traveling to Camden County and meeting with us to explore next steps for the Woodbine facility. The affected workers and their families are in our prayers, and one of our highest priorities is to find a replacement industry for this strategic property and replacement jobs for the displaced workers. The personal involvement of Mr. Buckner, President and CEO of Bayer CropScience, demonstrates the highest level of attention and concern to this matter. We appreciate that high level involvement as we work together in the hope of achieving a productive outcome as soon as possible."



About the JDA

The Camden County Joint Development Authority is a multi-jurisdictional economic development agency whose mission is to promote Camden County to business and industry, to expand and diversify the local economy, and stimulate the creation of quality employment opportunities to provide a better quality of life for citizens.

www.ccjda.com


About Bayer CropScience

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.830 billion (2010), is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 20,700 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at www.press.bayercropscience.com.