An alliance of six civil society organizations concerned about certain products made by German chemical and pharmaceutical group Bayer have submitted a complaint to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The alliance on Thursday singled out Bayer's genetically modified seeds to help farmers grow crops, such as soybean, as well as the weedkiller glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.
It charged that Bayer promotes an agricultural model that leads to food insecurity, water scarcity, extreme deforestation, health hazards and land conflicts at the expense of indigenous peoples and small farmers. It accused the company of being in breach of the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct.
Bayer rejected the allegations and said its products have been proven safe.
The complaint to the Paris-based OECD by the six organizations relate to cases in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. The rights and aid groups in the alliance are based in those South American nations, plus Germany.
"The company has failed to respond appropriately to the serious human rights and environmental risks directly linked to its business model in the region," said Sarah Schneider, a representative of Misereor, a German aid group associated with the Catholic Church.
"The effects of the use of genetically modified seeds and pesticides have not been monitored, nor have effective measures been taken to prevent and mitigate them," Schneider said.
In Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, more than half of the agricultural land is cultivated with soybean seed. Glyphosate is in turn applied to these crops. Bayer sells both the genetically modified seeds and the weedkiller, the alliance pointed out.
Abel Areco from Paraguay's BASE-IS organization said that people were suffering from serious illnesses and that water sources were being polluted.
"Indigenous and farming communities are being deprived of their land, which is affecting their way of life and diet," Arco added.
In addition, deforestation for soybean cultivation is threatening the local flora and fauna, the complaint charges.
In response to the allegations, a Bayer spokesman said that the safety of the company's products was the top priority.
"In numerous safety and authorization studies on our products, we have clearly demonstrated on the basis of sound scientific evidence that our products are safe when used properly in accordance with the instructions for use and that neither humans nor the environment are exposed to an unacceptable risk," explained the Bayer spokesman.
The crop protection products are "thoroughly tested for their mode of action, their toxicological properties and the extent of possible residues in plants and in the environment."
Authorization studies are based on the strict international guidelines of the OECD, Bayer said, adding that extensive training courses are also organized for farmers.
Bayer is not aware of the incidents from South America mentioned in the complaint, said the spokesman, pointing out that in general the respective authorities are responsible for the framework conditions for agriculture in their countries.
According to the organizations, they submitted their complaint to the OECD's German contact point on Thursday. The entire complaint procedure is likely to take months.
The process involves critics and the company entering into dialogue in a mediation process. The OECD does not have the power to impose penalties.