Difference between revisions of "Monsanto: Influence / Lobbying"

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Monsanto have aggressively promoted their products through PR campaigns, industry lobby groups, funding academic research and directly influencing government policy. A recent Monsanto internal document leaked to GeneWatch UK revealed Monsanto’s global strategy to promote GM foods. They are actively influencing which experts get on to international scientific committees and are promoting their views through supposedly independent scientists. The report suggests that they have virtually given up trying to influence the debate on GM foods in the UK and are stepping up their activity in developing countries [31].
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Monsanto have aggressively promoted their products through PR campaigns, industry lobby groups, funding academic research and directly influencing government policy. A recent Monsanto internal document leaked to GeneWatch UK revealed Monsanto’s global strategy to promote GM foods. They are actively influencing which experts get on to international scientific committees and are promoting their views through supposedly independent scientists. The report suggests that they have virtually given up trying to influence the debate on GM foods in the UK and are stepping up their activity in developing countries<ref>GeneWatch UK [http://www.genewatch.org/article.shtml?als%5Bcid%5D=492860&als%5Bitemid%5D=507864 GeneWatch PR: Monsanto's desperate propaganda campaign reaches global proportions] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>.
  
 
==Lobbying Groups==
 
==Lobbying Groups==
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Monsanto is a member of several UK and European industry lobby groups, including:
 
  
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Crop Protection Association (formerly the British Agrochemicals Association): an agrochemical and biotech trade association, one of the organisations that make up SCIMAC, the industry body established in June 1998 to support the "responsible and effective introduction of GM crops in the UK". This includes running GM farm scale trials in conjunction with the Department of the Environment Transport and Regions (DETR). (www.baa.org.uk/Default.asp), (www.ukasta.org.uk/news/scimac/)
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Monsanto is a member of several UK and European industry lobby groups, including:
  
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Europabio (European Association for Bioindustries): A European pro biotech lobby group which encourages the EU and national governments to develop policies that are supportive of biotechnology (www.europabio.org/)
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* [[Crop Protection Association]]<ref>Crop Protection Association [http://www.cropprotection.org.uk/content/Mem-List.asp Members List] accessed 27th February 2008</ref> in 2008. The Crop Protection Association was formerly the British Agrochemicals Association. It is an agrochemical and biotech trade association, one of the organisations that make up SCIMAC, the industry body established in June 1998 to support the "carefully managed introduction of GM crops in the UK"<ref>SCIMAC [http://www.scimac.org.uk/ Home page] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref> <ref>SCIMAC [http://www.scimac.org.uk/who.html Who is SCHEMAC?] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>.
  
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Influencing research and education
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* [[EuropaBio]] (The European Association of BioIndustries) in 2007<ref>EuropaBio [http://www.europabio.org/documents/AnnualReport2007.pdf Annual Report 2007] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>:A European pro biotech lobby group which encourages the EU and national governments to develop policies that are supportive of biotechnology
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PBI/Monsanto employee Dr R Stratford sits on the Plant and Microbial Sciences Committee of the BBSRC (British Biotechnology Science Research Council) and Monsanto employee Dr K Hammond-Kossack sits on the Network Group of the BBSRC. The BBSRC administer funding for biotech research in British Universities [32].
 
  
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In April 2001 140,000 copies of a pro-biotechnology booklet ‘Your World-Biotechnology and You’ were distributed in Scottish schools. The leaflet was produced by the US Biotechnology Institute who are part funded by Monsanto [33].
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In America...
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* [[American Benefits Council]] - in 2008, Monsanto is listed as a member<ref>American Benefits Council [http://www.americanbenefitscouncil.org/about/memberlist.cfm Memberships] Accessed 26th February 2008</ref>.
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* The [[Gorlin Group]]<ref>The Gorlin Group [http://www.gorlingroup.com/ Clients] Accessed 20th March 2008</ref>
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==Influencing research and education==
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In 2001, Dr [[R Stratford]] of Monsanto, is reported to have been involved with the Plant and Microbial Sciences Committee of the BBSRC ([[British Biotechnology Science Research Council]])<ref> British Biotechnology Science Research Council [http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/accounts/bbsrc_annual_00_01.pdf#search=%22monsanto%22 Annual report 2000-2001] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>. The BBSRC administer funding for biotech research in British Universities
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The Sunday Herald of Scotland are reported to have written on the 15th April 2001 that "MORE than 140,000 glossy brochures sponsored by the US corporate giants of genetic modification such as Monsanto are being pushed into Scotland's schools by Scottish Enterprise'<ref>Mindfully [http://www.mindfully.org/GE/GE2/Biotechnology-And-You.htm Your World: Biotechnology and You] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>. The name of this publication is 'Your World: Biotechnology and You' which is reported to be funded by The [[Biotechnology Institute]]'s founding sponsors - BIO ([[Biotechnology Industry Organization]]), [[Monsanto]], [[Novartis]], [[Pfizer]], [[Amgen]], [[BioAlliance]], [[Fischer Scientific]], [[Genencor International]], [[MdBio]], [[PAbiotech]] and the [[Council for Biotechnology Information]]<ref>ibid</ref>
  
 
==Links with government==
 
==Links with government==
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There is a well documented ‘revolving door’ between Monsanto employees and officials from US Government regulatory bodies (particularly the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This has effectively enabled Monsanto to bypass the regulatory process and get marketing consent in the US for their GM and other products with minimal safety checks [34]. US influence has made it much harder for other counties to implement more rigorous regulatory standards. Monsanto have also had direct influence within the Clinton administration and continue to have with the Bush administration [35]. Monsanto employee Linda Fisher was nominated by Bush in May 2001 for a key position in the US Environmental Protection Agency [36]. Monsanto have used their close links with the US government to influence policy decisions in the UK, Europe and the EU. The revolving door between Monsanto and the UK government is less easy to demonstrate, however, there are several links between prominent advisors to the Labour government, Bell Pottinger Good Relations (a PR company employed by Monsanto) and Monsanto [37].
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There is a well documented ‘revolving door’ between Monsanto employees and officials from US Government regulatory bodies. For example...
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* [[Rufus Yerxa]], Monsanto's Chief Counsel and Head of Government Public Affairs for Europe. Yerxa is reported<ref>Cameron May Conferences [http://www.jus.uio.no/lm/cm.conferences/ih.and.tr_2001.html#to232  Cameron May - Conference Schedule] Accessed 4th March 2008</ref> to have previously served as US Ambassador to the GATT in Geneva and as Chief Deputy USTR during the 1st Clinton Administration (when he played a key role in the Uruguay Round Negotiations). Yerxa was also a Partner with [[Akin Gump]] (Brussels), [[Strauss Hauer & Feld]], where he specialises in EC and International Trade Matters.
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* [[Linda Fisher]]. Reuters News Service is said to have reported in 2001 that Fisher, who headed Monsanto's Washington lobbying office, had been appointed as Deputy Administrator with the [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]]. Fisher had also served on a U.S. Agriculture Department advisory Committee on biotech foods<ref> Connectotel [http://www.connectotel.com/gmfood/re020501.txt Bush names Monsanto executive for senior EPA job] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>.
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* [[Marcia Hale]], moved to Monsanto in 1996/7 to coordinate the company’s public affairs and corporate strategy in the UK and Ireland. Prior to this, Hale was Clinton’s assistant for intergovernmental relations<ref>Monbiot, G. (1997)[http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1997/12/15/the-monsanto-monster/ The Monsanto Monster] Published in the <i>Guardian</i> 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>.  
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* [[Margaret Miller]], the Monsanto researcher who helped to develop Posilac, transferred to the [[United States Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA), where she had the task of reviewing her own research<ref>Monbiot, G. (1997)[http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1997/12/15/the-monsanto-monster/ The Monsanto Monster] Published in the <i>Guardian</i> 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>.
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* [[Michael Taylor]] worked for Monsanto before moving to the (FDA) where he oversaw the FDA’s approval of Monsanto's Posilac<ref>Monbiot, G. (1997)[http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1997/12/15/the-monsanto-monster/ The Monsanto Monster] Published in the <i>Guardian</i> 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>.
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* [[Ann Foster]], former Director of the [[Scottish Consumer Council]] went on to become Monsanto's permanent lobbyist in the United Kingdom. At the time, Foster sat on several government advisory committees, including the key Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition<ref>Monbiot, G. (1997)[http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1997/12/15/the-monsanto-monster/ The Monsanto Monster] Published in the <i>Guardian</i> 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>.
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Monbiot states that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 'which regulates the food industry, is, according to Betty Martini of the consumer pressure group Mission Possible, so closely associated with the company that it could be described as “Monsanto’s Washington branch office”'<ref>Monbiot, G. (1997)[http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1997/12/15/the-monsanto-monster/ The Monsanto Monster] Published in the <i>Guardian</i> 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>.
  
 
==PR Companies==
 
==PR Companies==
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Monsanto have used several prominent public relations companies in an all out media assault to achieve public acceptance of their GM products. These companies include the infamous Burson Marsteller [38], Global Access Limited, Bivell Woodings Ltd, Bell Pottinger Good Relations UK, Focus Communications and Bartle Bogel Hegarty (UK). Monsanto’s UK greenwash campaign organised by Bartle Bogel Hegarty in 1998 backfired spectacularly. Monsanto were accused of being arrogant and spreading misinformation. After a barrage of complaints an enquiry by the Advertising Standards Agency found that Monsanto adverts had been wrong and misleading on 6 of the 13 counts filed against them [39].
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Monsanto have used several prominent public relations companies in an all out media assault to achieve public acceptance of their GM products. These companies include the infamous [[Burson Marsteller]] <ref>MELODY PETERSEN (1999) [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE1DB1E3EF93BA35751C1A96F958260  Monsanto Campaign Tries to Gain Support for Gene-Altered Food] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>, [[Bell Pottinger]] Good Relations UK<ref> Chime Communications [http://chime-plc.typepad.com/news/2007/05/alex_woolfall_h.html ALEX WOOLFALL HEADS ISSUES & CRISIS PRACTICE AT BELL POTTINGER GROUP] Accessed 27th February 2008</ref>, [[Global Business Access Ltd]]<ref>UK AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY COALITION [http://www.ukabc.org/gaiam2_1.htm Monsanto and Biotech for Agriculture] Accessed 4th March 2008</ref> and [[Bartle Bogel Hegarty]] (UK).  
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Monsanto’s UK greenwash campaign organised by [[Bartle Bogel Hegarty]] in 1998 backfired spectacularly<ref>Arlidge, J. (1999) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,3829135,00.html Watchdog slams Monsanto ads] <i>Guardian Unlimited</i> 28th February 1999. Accessed 4th March 2008</ref>. After numerous complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) condemned Monsanto for making 'wrong, unproven, misleading and confusing' claims in a £1m advertising campaign. The ASA says that Monsanto expressed its own opinion 'as accepted fact' and published 'wrong' and 'misleading' scientific claims. The ASA criticised Monsanto for 'wrongly giving the impression that genetically modified potatoes and tomatoes had been tested and approved for sale in Britain'. They also dismissed Monsanto's assertion that GM crops were grown 'in a more environmentally sustainable way' than ordinary crops as unproven. The <i>Guardian</i> reports Patrick Spring of the Green Party, where he points out that...
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:'Monsanto has been caught out misleading the public... If they are prepared to hoodwink the public, what have they been telling their friends in Government? We know they have been lobbying ministers and officials to try to get their products onto supermarket shelves. Have they been economical with the truth? The public need answers.'
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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[31] For the full text of this report go to www.genewatch.org/Press%20Releases/pr15.htm
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<references/>
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[32] www.bbsrc.ac.uk/about/annrep/committees.html
 
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[33] www.corporatewatch.org.uk/news/around_the_web2.html
 
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[34] see www.groundup.org/monsanto/door.htm and Feeding the Hungry Transnationals
 
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[35] see Feeding the Hungry Transnationals
 
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[36] www.connectotel.com/gmfood/re020501.txt
 
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[37] see chapter 3 in ‘Of Cabbages and Kings: A Cartoon Book on Genetic Engineering’ produced by A SEED Europe
 
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[38] look at www.corporatewatch.org.uk/magazine/issue2/cw2f2.html and www.corporatewatch.org.uk/news/leeds_uni_bursonmarsteller.htmlfor more information
 
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[39] www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,3829135,00.html
 
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[[Category: Biotech Industry]][[Category: Transnational Corporations]]
 
[[Category: Biotech Industry]][[Category: Transnational Corporations]]

Latest revision as of 15:25, 28 March 2009

Monsanto have aggressively promoted their products through PR campaigns, industry lobby groups, funding academic research and directly influencing government policy. A recent Monsanto internal document leaked to GeneWatch UK revealed Monsanto’s global strategy to promote GM foods. They are actively influencing which experts get on to international scientific committees and are promoting their views through supposedly independent scientists. The report suggests that they have virtually given up trying to influence the debate on GM foods in the UK and are stepping up their activity in developing countries[1].

Lobbying Groups

Monsanto is a member of several UK and European industry lobby groups, including:

  • Crop Protection Association[2] in 2008. The Crop Protection Association was formerly the British Agrochemicals Association. It is an agrochemical and biotech trade association, one of the organisations that make up SCIMAC, the industry body established in June 1998 to support the "carefully managed introduction of GM crops in the UK"[3] [4].
  • EuropaBio (The European Association of BioIndustries) in 2007[5]:A European pro biotech lobby group which encourages the EU and national governments to develop policies that are supportive of biotechnology

In America...

Influencing research and education

In 2001, Dr R Stratford of Monsanto, is reported to have been involved with the Plant and Microbial Sciences Committee of the BBSRC (British Biotechnology Science Research Council)[8]. The BBSRC administer funding for biotech research in British Universities

The Sunday Herald of Scotland are reported to have written on the 15th April 2001 that "MORE than 140,000 glossy brochures sponsored by the US corporate giants of genetic modification such as Monsanto are being pushed into Scotland's schools by Scottish Enterprise'[9]. The name of this publication is 'Your World: Biotechnology and You' which is reported to be funded by The Biotechnology Institute's founding sponsors - BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization), Monsanto, Novartis, Pfizer, Amgen, BioAlliance, Fischer Scientific, Genencor International, MdBio, PAbiotech and the Council for Biotechnology Information[10]

Links with government

There is a well documented ‘revolving door’ between Monsanto employees and officials from US Government regulatory bodies. For example...

  • Rufus Yerxa, Monsanto's Chief Counsel and Head of Government Public Affairs for Europe. Yerxa is reported[11] to have previously served as US Ambassador to the GATT in Geneva and as Chief Deputy USTR during the 1st Clinton Administration (when he played a key role in the Uruguay Round Negotiations). Yerxa was also a Partner with Akin Gump (Brussels), Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he specialises in EC and International Trade Matters.
  • Linda Fisher. Reuters News Service is said to have reported in 2001 that Fisher, who headed Monsanto's Washington lobbying office, had been appointed as Deputy Administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fisher had also served on a U.S. Agriculture Department advisory Committee on biotech foods[12].
  • Marcia Hale, moved to Monsanto in 1996/7 to coordinate the company’s public affairs and corporate strategy in the UK and Ireland. Prior to this, Hale was Clinton’s assistant for intergovernmental relations[13].
  • Michael Taylor worked for Monsanto before moving to the (FDA) where he oversaw the FDA’s approval of Monsanto's Posilac[15].
  • Ann Foster, former Director of the Scottish Consumer Council went on to become Monsanto's permanent lobbyist in the United Kingdom. At the time, Foster sat on several government advisory committees, including the key Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition[16].

Monbiot states that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 'which regulates the food industry, is, according to Betty Martini of the consumer pressure group Mission Possible, so closely associated with the company that it could be described as “Monsanto’s Washington branch office”'[17].

PR Companies

Monsanto have used several prominent public relations companies in an all out media assault to achieve public acceptance of their GM products. These companies include the infamous Burson Marsteller [18], Bell Pottinger Good Relations UK[19], Global Business Access Ltd[20] and Bartle Bogel Hegarty (UK).

Monsanto’s UK greenwash campaign organised by Bartle Bogel Hegarty in 1998 backfired spectacularly[21]. After numerous complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) condemned Monsanto for making 'wrong, unproven, misleading and confusing' claims in a £1m advertising campaign. The ASA says that Monsanto expressed its own opinion 'as accepted fact' and published 'wrong' and 'misleading' scientific claims. The ASA criticised Monsanto for 'wrongly giving the impression that genetically modified potatoes and tomatoes had been tested and approved for sale in Britain'. They also dismissed Monsanto's assertion that GM crops were grown 'in a more environmentally sustainable way' than ordinary crops as unproven. The Guardian reports Patrick Spring of the Green Party, where he points out that...

'Monsanto has been caught out misleading the public... If they are prepared to hoodwink the public, what have they been telling their friends in Government? We know they have been lobbying ministers and officials to try to get their products onto supermarket shelves. Have they been economical with the truth? The public need answers.'

References

  1. ↑ GeneWatch UK GeneWatch PR: Monsanto's desperate propaganda campaign reaches global proportions Accessed 27th February 2008
  2. ↑ Crop Protection Association Members List accessed 27th February 2008
  3. ↑ SCIMAC Home page Accessed 27th February 2008
  4. ↑ SCIMAC Who is SCHEMAC? Accessed 27th February 2008
  5. ↑ EuropaBio Annual Report 2007 Accessed 27th February 2008
  6. ↑ American Benefits Council Memberships Accessed 26th February 2008
  7. ↑ The Gorlin Group Clients Accessed 20th March 2008
  8. ↑ British Biotechnology Science Research Council Annual report 2000-2001 Accessed 27th February 2008
  9. ↑ Mindfully Your World: Biotechnology and You Accessed 27th February 2008
  10. ↑ ibid
  11. ↑ Cameron May Conferences Cameron May - Conference Schedule Accessed 4th March 2008
  12. ↑ Connectotel Bush names Monsanto executive for senior EPA job Accessed 27th February 2008
  13. ↑ Monbiot, G. (1997)The Monsanto Monster Published in the Guardian 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008
  14. ↑ Monbiot, G. (1997)The Monsanto Monster Published in the Guardian 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008
  15. ↑ Monbiot, G. (1997)The Monsanto Monster Published in the Guardian 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008
  16. ↑ Monbiot, G. (1997)The Monsanto Monster Published in the Guardian 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008
  17. ↑ Monbiot, G. (1997)The Monsanto Monster Published in the Guardian 15th December 1997. Accessed 4th March 2008
  18. ↑ MELODY PETERSEN (1999) Monsanto Campaign Tries to Gain Support for Gene-Altered Food Accessed 27th February 2008
  19. ↑ Chime Communications ALEX WOOLFALL HEADS ISSUES & CRISIS PRACTICE AT BELL POTTINGER GROUP Accessed 27th February 2008
  20. ↑ UK AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY COALITION Monsanto and Biotech for Agriculture Accessed 4th March 2008
  21. ↑ Arlidge, J. (1999) Watchdog slams Monsanto ads Guardian Unlimited 28th February 1999. Accessed 4th March 2008
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