Monsanto Supplier

Code of Conduct
English
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 COMMITMENT TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH,

QUALITY PRODUCTS, REGULATORY
Sustainable Development Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 COMPLIANCE, AND FAIR MARKET
Commitment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 PRACTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FOUNDATION OF THE MONSANTO SUPPLIER Scientific Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

CODE OF CONDUCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Quality Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fair Marketing Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Transparency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sharing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 MONSANTO’S COMMITMENT TO THE
Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 WORLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Respect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Environmental Protection and Safety. . . . . . . 11
Act as Owners to Achieve Results . . . . . . . . . 4 Supplier Diversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Create a Great Place to Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 No Bribery or Corrupt Practices . . . . . . . . . . . 12
MONSANTO COMPANY CODE OF Ethical Currency Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
CONDUCT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

SUPPLIER-MONSANTO MUTUAL TRUST . . . . . . 4 CONFORMANCE WITH THE SUPPLIER CODE

OF CONDUCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
MONSANTO-SUPPLIER MUTUAL
Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
COMMITMENTS TO PEOPLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Reporting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Safe, Healthy and Secure Work
Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Respect for Human Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Personal Information Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

COMMITMENT TO MONSANTO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Legal Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
International Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Business Gifts and Entertainment. . . . . . . . . . . 7
Company Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Information Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Confidential and Proprietary Information. . . . 8
Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Maintain Honest Financial Records . . . . . . . . . 9
External Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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INTRODUCTION

Monsanto is a sustainable agricultural Sustainable Development Goals

company committed to socially Adopted in September 2015 after years of
responsible business practices. We are multi-stakeholder engagement, the United
driven to do not only what is required by Nations Sustainable Development Goals
applicable laws and regulations, but also (SDGs) comprise 17 goals that address the
what is expected of a leader. We expect world’s most pressing economic, social
our suppliers’ management practices to and environmental challenges.
respect the labor and employment rights
of all employees, demonstrate processes The private sector plays an important
and produce products that minimize their role in achieving the SDGs and our work
impact on the environment, and provide at Monsanto contributes in some way to
a safe and healthy work place for all each of the 17 goals.
employees.

THE GLOBAL GOALS

For Sustainable Development

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 Monsanto has identified six goals (SDGs improves productivity of contractors
1, 2, 6, 8, 13 and 15) that are particularly and suppliers;
relevant to our business, as well as three • Increasing investment in renewable
additional goals (SDGs 9, 12 and 17) that energy, water efficiency, and other
are of significant importance to how we infrastructure projects;
work. As we continue strengthening our
commitment to modern, sustainable • Investing in the capability of diversity
agriculture, we will look to these SDGs suppliers through training and
in particular to inform our strategy and capacity building; and
actions. • Improving community health and
increasing education investments.
STRONGEST ALIGNMENT WITH SIX SDGS THAT ARE MOST
RELEVANT TO MONSANTO’S BUSINESS AND REPRESENT
THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE MOST IMPACT.
To learn more about the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals visit
www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.
Commitment
As we endeavor to lead responsibly, we
are committed to integrity when selecting
and doing business with our suppliers
Improving lives for farmers, employees, consumers and
communities, while helping to make a balanced meal more (inclusive of all third party providers,
accessible for everyone.
collaborators and partners). We prefer
to do business with suppliers who share
our values and demonstrate similar
commitments through their actions.
At Monsanto trust and integrity are
at the core of doing the right things
Using resources more efficiently both
on the farm and here at Monsanto.
right every time. The Supplier Code of
Conduct is intended to communicate
THREE SDGS THAT REPRESENT HOW WE ARE WORKING our expectations to those suppliers that
TO IMPACT THE SIX GOALS THAT ARE MOST RELEVANT TO
OUR BUSINESS. provide products or services to us, our
subsidiaries and our affiliates around the
globe. All of our suppliers are asked to
become familiar with and agree to and
operate consistent with our Supplier
Code of Conduct as a condition to doing
business with Monsanto Company.

As articulated in the United Nations Global Working together with our suppliers we
Compact’s SDG Industry Matrix, the SDG can cultivate meaningful change – not just
impact on responsible procurement for today, but for generations to come.
includes: View Monsanto’s Sustainability Report
• Investing in supply chains which are at www.monsanto.com/sustainability to
ethical, inclusive, resource-efficient, learn more about our commitment to
and resilient; sustainability.

• Enhancing labor standards, skills, We grow better together.

opportunities, and well-being that
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FOUNDATION OF THE MONSANTO SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT

The Supplier Code of Conduct is founded Transparency

on the Monsanto Pledge. We will ensure that information is available,
The Monsanto Pledge is our commitment accessible, and understandable.
to how we do business. It is a declaration
that compels us to listen more, to consider Sharing
our actions and their impact broadly, and We will share knowledge and technology
to lead responsibly. It helps us to convert to advance scientific understanding,
our values into actions, and to make clear improve agriculture and the environment,
who we are and what we champion. improve crops, and help farmers in
developing countries.
Integrity
Integrity is the foundation for everything Benefits
we do at Monsanto. This foundation We will use sound and innovative science
includes honesty, decency, consistency as well as thoughtful and effective
and courage. Building on those values, we stewardship to deliver high-quality
are committed to: products that are beneficial to our
customers and to the environment.
Dialogue
We will listen carefully to diverse points of Respect
view and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We will respect the religious, cultural, and
We will broaden our understanding of ethical concerns of people throughout
issues in order to better address the needs the world. The safety of our employees,
and concerns of society and each other. the communities where we operate,
our customers, consumers, and the
environment will be our highest priority.

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 Act as Owners to Achieve Results SUPPLIER-MONSANTO MUTUAL TRUST
We will create clarity of direction, roles, Our suppliers play a crucial role in
and accountability. We will build strong Monsanto’s success as a company.
relationships with our customers and We seek to develop relationships built
external partners, make wise decisions, on mutual respect and trust with our
steward our company resources, and take suppliers. We value honesty in our
responsibility for achieving agreed-upon dealings with both existing and potential
results. suppliers. All contracts must be fairly
Create a Great Place to Work negotiated and free of deception or
inaccuracy. Further, when selecting
We will ensure diversity of people and suppliers to provide products and services
thought, foster innovation, creativity and to Monsanto, we will do so fairly. We will
learning, practice inclusive teamwork, and make our selections based on a proper
reward and recognize our people. evaluation of all appropriate facts, which
may include, for example, the supplier’s
MONSANTO COMPANY CODE OF quality, safety records, technical ability,
CONDUCT historical experience, reliability, cost,
The conduct we expect of our suppliers schedule availability, demonstration of
is not different than the conduct we commitment to inclusion and diversity,
expect of ourselves. Monsanto maintains and conduct in conformity with the
a company Code of Business Conduct Supplier Code of Conduct.
which further defines our expectations
for how we operate and conduct our
business. Suppliers (inclusive of all
third party providers, collaborators and
partners) and employees are encouraged
to open this link and familiarize themselves
with the Monsanto Code of Business
Conduct: http://www.monsanto.com/
whoweare/pages/business-conduct.aspx.

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MONSANTO-SUPPLIER MUTUAL COMMITMENTS TO PEOPLE

Safe, Healthy and Secure Work Respect for Human Rights

Environments Consistent with our commitment to
At Monsanto, safety and security are respect and advance human rights,
everyone’s responsibility. We are Monsanto has adopted a Human Rights
dedicated to fostering a safe and healthy Policy. We expect all our suppliers to
work environment for all employees, comply with applicable employment and
visitors and customers, and the labor laws, and in addition, our Policy
communities where we work. details expectations in the following areas:
Similarly, we expect that suppliers shall • Child Labor
comply with the laws and regulations that • Forced Labor
apply to their locations and workplaces.
We value suppliers that make continuous • Discrimination
efforts to achieve a workplace that is free • Compensation
from work-related injuries and illnesses. • Working Hours
Information about Monsanto’s various • Harassment and Violence
policies and procedures which govern
safety will be made available to suppliers. • Freedom of Association
We expect our suppliers to comply with • Safety
direct policies and procedures which
govern safety and to work closely with
us on safety and security issues that arise
related to the products and services they
provide to us.

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 Compliance includes efforts to prohibit customers and third parties, consistent
discrimination against any person in with applicable data privacy laws. If a
any term, condition or privilege of supplier becomes aware of an actual
employment because of race, color, or possible unauthorized disclosure
religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, of Monsanto employee or customer
veteran status, gender identity, gender information, we expect the supplier to
expression, sexual orientation (real or report it immediately to Monsanto’s
perceived, as manifested by identity, acts, Business Conduct Office at
statements or associations), or any other Web: www.contactBCOglobal.com;
characteristic protected by law. Email: [email protected];
Monsanto expects suppliers to refrain Mail: 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd, Mail Code
from, and comply with any regulations E1NH, St. Louis MO 63167,
and supporting obligations on, human or www.monsanto.com/contactbco
trafficking and modern slavery. Examples
include, but are not limited to, the
California Transparency in Supply Chains
Act and the UK Modern Slavery Act.
When appropriate, Monsanto expects
suppliers to agree to allow Monsanto or
third parties acting on Monsanto’s behalf
to conduct reasonable audits of suppliers’
books, records and facilities utilized
by employees to determine suppliers’
compliance with applicable employment
and labor laws.
In addition, Monsanto expects suppliers
of materials containing tantalum, tin,
tungsten or gold to know where those
minerals were mined and to provide
that content and source information to
Monsanto if asked.
For additional information, visit
http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/
pages/human-rights.aspx.
Personal Information Privacy
Personal information may include, but
is not limited to, employment history,
government issued identification
numbers, contact information, marital
status, and criminal records.
We expect suppliers to protect personal
information Monsanto provides to
suppliers or is acquired by suppliers
related to Monsanto employees,

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COMMITMENT TO MONSANTO

Legal Compliance suppliers should implement practices

We expect suppliers to work diligently to and procedures to ensure the security of
conduct Monsanto-related business in full their supply chains in accordance with
compliance with applicable laws, rules, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
and regulations. standards, the Customs-Trade Partnership
Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) initiative of the
International Trade US Department of Homeland Security,
When a supplier’s business with Monsanto and related global supply chain security
includes international trade, Monsanto programs in the countries where suppliers
expects the supplier to understand and engage with Monsanto.
comply with applicable international Business Gifts and Entertainment
trade control laws and regulations,
including those related to economic We understand and recognize that gifts,
sanctions, customs requirements, and meals, and entertainment can be used
export controls. Upon request, suppliers in positive ways to build relationships.
will provide Monsanto with any required However, these areas can also present
product specifications and pertinent real and/or perceived issues related to
documentation to ensure compliance with integrity. Accordingly, any supplier who
applicable export and import regulations. attempts to compromise Monsanto’s
Additionally, in connection with Monsanto commitment to integrity by offering
business, suppliers must not participate inappropriate gifts, meals, entertainment,
in any economic boycott not sanctioned business opportunities, privileges, outside
by the United States Government and employment (including employment
must not provide information that for family members) or other items or
could be construed to support any such things of value to Monsanto employees
unsanctioned boycott. When applicable, may jeopardize its supplier status with
Monsanto.
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 To avoid the appearance of attempting If a supplier has any questions or concerns
to gain favorable treatment, suppliers about the propriety of offering any gift,
shall only give Monsanto employees gifts, meal, form of entertainment or any other
meals, entertainment or other items of item of value, the supplier should contact
value if such items are: Monsanto’s Business Conduct Office in
• Modest advance of making such offer.
• Lawful Company Assets
• Infrequent As suppliers work with Monsanto, access
may be granted to various Monsanto
• Business appropriate assets. These assets could include
• Not cash or cash equivalents our Company’s physical property like
Monsanto employees are not to solicit equipment, vehicles, computers, funds and
a supplier for any personal gift, meal, facilities. We expect suppliers to protect
entertainment or other item of value. these assets from loss, theft, damage,
waste or misuse. We also expect suppliers
Gifts should not exceed $100 USD in value; to use Monsanto resources for appropriate
even if a gift or form of entertainment business purposes only.
meets the above criteria. Monsanto’s
policy does not allow suppliers to offer Information Security
any gifts or forms of entertainment to a
Monsanto employee during an ongoing Confidential and Proprietary Information
Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Monsanto resources are not limited to
Quote (RFQ) process, or during any other physical property. Some of Monsanto’s
stage of an active contract negotiation. most valuable assets are the confidential
Monsanto’s policy disallows employees and proprietary information we possess.
from accepting such items during these Confidential information typically includes
critical periods of negotiation. Any effort information that is not published by
from a supplier to offer any such gifts or authorized Monsanto personnel to the
form of entertainments during these time public. A supplier’s ability to protect
periods could result in discipline to the Monsanto’s confidential business
Monsanto employee and disqualification of information is critical to Monsanto’s future
the supplier. success and Monsanto’s relationships
with its suppliers. Information security
is extremely important for Monsanto to
maintain the confidence and trust of our
customers, suppliers, and other parties
with whom we work.
We expect suppliers to comply with
all contractual obligations regarding
confidentiality and otherwise to protect
Monsanto’s confidential and proprietary
information from unauthorized use.
Suppliers should not disclose such
information to anyone outside of
Monsanto or even someone within
Monsanto who does not have a clear
business need to know. Suppliers should

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take appropriate measures, including Maintain Honest Financial Records
training their employees, to ensure such Monsanto’s financial records are the
information is never improperly accessed, public’s window to assess the overall
lost, stolen, misused, misplaced or left success of our business. The public
unattended. Monsanto will not tolerate any relies on us to produce honest, accurate
supplier’s use of Monsanto confidential and timely disclosures consistent with
and proprietary information to trade applicable laws and regulations. This
Monsanto Company stock, and suppliers means all supplier-generated invoices,
must not share insider information about purchase orders or other transactional
their own company with Monsanto documents must be precise, accurate and
employees. detailed sufficiently to clearly articulate the
We expect supplier information systems underlying transaction.
that contain Monsanto’s confidential Accordingly, we expect supplier information
information or data to be appropriately submitted to Monsanto to be completely
managed and protected against truthful, correct and complete because we
unauthorized access, use, disclosure, rely on the information we receive when we
modification, destruction or denial of prepare our books and records. We expect
service. suppliers to follow all applicable accounting
Suppliers should never access any requirements and internal controls when
information without proper authority and submitting information to Monsanto.
never move or otherwise manage any If a supplier becomes aware of any
personally identifiable information about inaccurate or incomplete records
any person in a manner that compromises involving services or products supplied
the security of that information from to Monsanto, including but not limited to
unauthorized use or disclosure. accounts receivable, purchase orders, and
Intellectual Property funds transfers, we expect the supplier
immediately to report the matter to
Some of the information to which a Monsanto.
supplier may have access can include
Monsanto’s confidential business External Communications
information (CBI) and/or intellectual Suppliers should not speak on Monsanto’s
property (IP), which is considered valuable behalf unless they have been specifically
Monsanto property. We expect suppliers to authorized and instructed to do so and
protect Monsanto’s IP, examples of which then only to the extent authorized.
include:
• Trade secrets
• Copyrights
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Design rights
• Logos
• Brands

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 COMMITMENT TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, QUALITY PRODUCTS, REGULATORY
COMPLIANCE, AND FAIR MARKET PRACTICES

Scientific Research Regulatory Compliance

At Monsanto, we know and understand Monsanto conducts global business in a
the importance of conducting ethical highly regulated environment. Many of
scientific research. Much of our success our biotechnology and crop protection
depends on building trust with various products must be approved by regulatory
groups and people, and much of that trust agencies prior to commercialization.
will depend on the accuracy and reliability Therefore, we expect suppliers to comply
of the scientific data that we provide. with all international, national and local
We expect suppliers who contribute to or laws and regulations relevant to the
perform research on our behalf to commit services and products the suppliers
to accurate, reliable, and ethical research. provide Monsanto.
Our suppliers are expected to support
Quality Products Monsanto’s efforts to ensure our
Monsanto is committed to the integrity of technology is managed responsibly under
its products and to consistently delivering stewardship guidelines and in compliance
high quality products. Commitment to with applicable laws and regulations. We
quality is a common element that spans expect suppliers to work collaboratively
our organization and connects us with with Monsanto to ensure everything we do
our customers. together reinforces Monsanto’s efforts to
Accordingly, we expect suppliers to deliver sustain our approach to effective product
to Monsanto high quality products and stewardship.
services that meet or exceed applicable
laws and regulations as well as contractual
requirements and standards.

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Fair Marketing Practices MONSANTO’S COMMITMENT TO THE
When marketing or selling our products, WORLD
it is vital that we use only fair, ethical Environmental Protection and Safety
tactics.
At Monsanto, we know a large part of
Accordingly, we expect suppliers who our success can be attributed to the
prepare sales, advertising, promotional, communities in which we operate. To help
and marketing materials for Monsanto to protect and support these communities,
take care to fulfill these duties through their surrounding environments and our
truthful and accurate representations. world as a whole, we expect suppliers
Advertising to comply with environmental laws and
Suppliers should not make false or requirements wherever they operate.
misleading statements about the quality or Monsanto values suppliers that commit
availability of Monsanto products. Further, to the conservation of natural resources,
advertising suppliers should not make recycling, water use and waste reduction,
unfair or untrue comparisons between pollution control, and clean air and water.
Monsanto’s products and those of our
competitors.

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 Supplier Diversity including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Monsanto values an environment that is Practices Act (“FCPA”). Monsanto also
rich in inclusion and diversity and extends expects that its suppliers will not engage
this to all suppliers in our global supply in any form of commercial bribery, either
chain. As we strive to be the leading directly or through a third party.
provider of agricultural products and Ethical Currency Transactions
solutions worldwide, we recognize the
value of a diverse supplier base providing Money laundering is the process through
Monsanto with the products and services which individuals or entities attempt to
for our global supply chain. conceal illicit funds or make the sources
of those funds appear legitimate. Such
Monsanto’s supplier diversity efforts funds may be acquired through criminal
have resulted in the inclusion of enterprise, acts of terrorism, drug
businesses with majority ownership by trafficking, fraud or tax avoidance.
diverse individuals (i.e., individuals from
underrepresented groups as defined by Accordingly, we expect that suppliers
country), including minorities, women, shall not engage in any form of money
people with disabilities, veterans, disabled laundering activities and shall never
veterans, and persons who are lesbian, knowingly accept funds acquired through
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). By illicit means.
including these diverse owned suppliers Competition
in Monsanto’s supply chain, this provides
economic impact and supports the Monsanto expects its suppliers to
communities where we live and work. compete vigorously with one another
We strongly encourage our suppliers to for Monsanto’s business, and competing
expand their supplier diversity efforts by suppliers are prohibited from entering
engaging with certified diverse owned into compacts or collusive arrangements
businesses to provide products and affecting their business with Monsanto.
services to Monsanto, as recognized Suppliers who believe that Monsanto
within their respective countries and by would benefit from cooperation among
supplier diversity certifying organizations. otherwise competing suppliers should
Monsanto asks its suppliers to make seek Monsanto’s prior informed consent to
available their own diverse owned business such arrangements.
spend associated with doing business
directly or indirectly with Monsanto.
No Bribery or Corrupt Practices
As a global organization, Monsanto is
subject to various anti-corruption laws
around the world. Such laws are designed
to help us maintain fair, ethical and
transparent interactions with government
officials.
Monsanto expects its suppliers to comply
with all applicable anti-corruption laws
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CONFORMANCE WITH THE SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT

A supplier’s conformance with Monsanto’s Reporting

Supplier Code of Conduct will be Monsanto asks suppliers to promptly
significant in Monsanto’s decision making report deviations from this Supplier
process when considering whether to Code of Conduct to their Monsanto
start or continue a business relationship. Representative for resolution between
Monsanto expects its suppliers to have the supplier and Monsanto. If at any
adequate monitoring and record keeping time a supplier believes that a Monsanto
systems to conform to this Code. employee has acted contrary to
Suppliers are expected to notify Monsanto’s Code of Conduct, we ask that
Monsanto of legal actions, administrative you report your concerns in detail to our
investigations or prosecutions that may Business Conduct Office at
affect their performance of Monsanto Web: www.contactBCOglobal.com;
business or that could potentially adversely Email: [email protected];
affect a supplier’s and Monsanto’s Mail: 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd,
reputation. Mail Code E1NH, St. Louis MO 63167,
or www.monsanto.com/contactbco
Contact Information Suppliers are asked not to report to this
Suppliers may direct questions or office their disappointment on not being
comments about this Supplier Code of selected for Monsanto business, unless
Conduct to their Monsanto Procurement they believe that the result was caused by
Representative. a Monsanto employee who deviated from
a specific provision of Monsanto’s Code of
Conduct.

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Monsanto and Vine Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2017 Monsanto Company. Updated in April 2017