Bayer CropScience, which is featured on today's front page of the New York Times business section for the alleged link of its pesticide to the massive die-off of honey bees in North America and western Europe, relied on Porter Novelli to pitch the opening of its second Bee Care Center in Triangle Park, NC.

Bayer
Bayer beekeepers

PN Chicago-based account rep Ryan McCormick handled the 2012 announcement of the 6,600 sq. ft research center for scientists, beekeepers, farmers and educators to promote bee health and sustainable agriculture.

He is traveling today and not available for comment about any role PN might have in dealing with the Times piece. PN executives at New York headquarters did not not return emails about the story.

Gillian Mansfield, whom the Times identified as a Bayer CropScience executive who specializes in "strategic messaging," told the paper that the company is "strictly committed to bee health."

Bayer opened the first part of its NC facility last month. The entire center is expected to open in the spring.

The first Bee Care Center opened last year in Monheim, Germany, which is the joint headquarters or Bayer CropScience and Bayer Animal Health.