Agribusiness Influence and Power Dynamics in Governmental Policies and Decisions
Exerting Influence Over Global Food Policies: Agribusiness Giants Dominate Regulatory Frameworks and Agricultural Practices
In 2018, Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto for $63 billion marked a significant shift in the global food industry landscape, consolidating power in the hands of a select few agribusiness corporations. This mega-merger has not only tightened their grasp on seeds, pesticides, and farm equipment but also seen these companies strategically reshaping farming regulations and public opinions.
Over the years, these corporate titans have deployed various strategies to expand their influence, often going unnoticed. Lobbying efforts, in particular, have grown exponentially, with U.S. agribusiness lobbying doubling since the early 2000s, reaching an estimated $180 million annually by 2024. Behind the scenes, former industry executives rotate between public agencies and private corporations, creating a 'revolving door' that blurs the lines between regulatory oversight and corporate interests.
Agribusiness corporations also shape policy indirectly by taking an active role in scientific and public debates. With their substantial economic footprint, governments are inclined to prioritize their interests. Moreover, these companies use their influence to write narratives that sway public opinion in their favor, prompting regulators to implement rules advantageous to their business models.
One well-documented instance of such influence is Monsanto's campaign to preserve the use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide classified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. The company attempted to discredit the agency's expertise and worked with U.S. regulators to delay a regulatory review while pooling resources with external scientists to produce favorable reports, some of which critics deemed as biased or ghostwritten.
Another less overt but significant example of corporate influence is the fight over farmers' Right to Repair farm machinery. As technology advances and machinery becomes increasingly complex, manufacturers like John Deere restrict repairs to authorized dealers. This monopoly gives these companies immense control over the repair market. Frustrated farmers are joining the Right to Repair movement, leading several U.S. states to consider legislation that would allow farmers to repair their own equipment. In response, these corporations have lobbied against Right to Repair legislation, highlighting potential risks of unauthorized repairs to farm machinery safety and sustainability.
Agribusiness corporations don't limit their influence to domestic politics. They have found a pathway into global food governance through public-private partnerships (PPPs), granting them access to policies promoted by international institutions. In 2021's UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), large agribusiness firms, including seed and chemical firms Bayer and Syngenta as well as fertilizer giant Yara, took a prominent role. This participation prompted civil society groups to withdraw from the summit process, as critics argued that transnational food and agriculture corporations were offered a priority seat at the table and given ample opportunities to steer the agenda.
With greater resources than ordinary citizens or grassroots groups, these corporations are well-positioned to capture more airtime and dominate policy debates. As a result, regulatory decisions and rules predominantly serve the interests of these dominant firms, rather than the broader public or sustainable food systems. In essence, corporate political power works to undermine democratic participation in food systems, potentially jeopardizing food security and the livelihoods that rely on balanced food systems.
Jennifer Clapp, a Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability, has extensively studied the industry's impact. Her recent works include "Food," "Speculative Harvests," "Hunger in the Balance," and "Titans of Industrial Agriculture."
Agribusiness corporations, such as Bayer and Monsanto, have significantly expanded their influence in both the finance and business sectors through strategic tactics like lobbying and scientific debates, shaping regulations, public opinions, and business models.
Global food policies have become more aligned with the interests of corporate titans in the agribusiness industry as these corporations exercise their political power, potentially undermining democratic participation in food systems and potentially jeopardizing food security and livelihoods.
