A host of pesticide and agricultural interests is lobbying for a farm bill amendment that would permit farmers and others to spray pesticides near U.S. waters without seeking a Clean Water Act permit first.
The Pesticide Policy Coalition, CropLife America, Syngenta Corp. and Dow AgroSciences are among the organizations listed as clients in new lobbyist registrations last month by John H. Thorne, according to Sunlight's lobbying registration tracker. Thorne recently joined the firm Bergeson & Campbell, which describes itself as an environmental law firm that helps "companies that make and use chemicals commercialize their products, maintain compliance, and achieve ...
Continue readingWho’s the money behind the farm bill?
As the Senate debates the farm bill this week, a once-every-five-years lobbying extravaganza that sets policy on farm subsidies, food assistance, nutrition, and myriad other agricultural programs, here's a quick look at some of the big money interests that are involved, as well as pressure points for transparency, or the lack of it.
The money. Agribusiness has already sunk $39.2 million in direct contributions to federal candidate and party coffers this election cycle, nearly three-fourths of that to Republican interests, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. In 2008, the last presidential election cycle, which also happened to ...
Continue readingFarm Bill and Farm Subsidies
Air Congress highlights a short yet informative video from the free market Competitive Enterprise Institute on the 2007 Farm Bill and the pork Congress has weighted it down with. Here's another from the anti-hunger group Oxfam America making similar points. But if you are interested in the Farm Bill, your research should start with the Environmental Working Groups long-standing farm subsidy database.
The National Family Farm Coalition, an advocate for the family farmer and the American consumer, is right in saying that anyone who eats has an interest and a stake in the farm bill. NFFC has a very helpful resource that answers many of the questions regarding the bill and agriculture policy.
Continue reading- « Previous
- 1
- 2
59063
