China's Smithfield and Syngenta Invest Over $26 Million in Lobbying Efforts for U.S. Farm Bill
In a comprehensive investigation by the Center for Responsible Food Business (CRFB), it has been revealed that China's agricultural powerhouses, Smithfield Foods and Syngenta, have poured over $26 million into lobbying efforts and political contributions linked to the ongoing negotiations of the U.S. Farm Bill. This significant financial injection raises critical questions about foreign influence over American agriculture and policymaking.
The report, titled "Pork, Pesticides, and the CCP," documents the extensive lobbying activities undertaken by these companies since they were acquired by Chinese interests. Specifically, Smithfield has spent approximately $24 million on lobbying in Washington. This spending has primarily focused on key issues such as pesticide regulation and foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, both of which are pivotal in the context of the Farm Bill.
However, what raises eyebrows further is the systematic concealment of the companies' ties to foreign ownership. Since 2019, Smithfield's lobbyists consistently reported "None" or left the disclosure lines blank regarding any foreign entities involved in their lobbying activities. Similarly, Syngenta has failed to disclose their foreign ownership in their lobbying reports, which date back to at least 2017. This lack of transparency is not only misleading but also raises ethical concerns about their influence on U.S. agricultural policy.
The political spending extends beyond lobbying, with the two companies' political action committees (PACs) contributing nearly $2.5 million to federal and state candidates, with notable donations made to President Trump's inaugural committee. Alarmingly, 139 current lawmakers have accepted contributions from these PACs, with House Agriculture Chairman Glenn
The report, titled "Pork, Pesticides, and the CCP," documents the extensive lobbying activities undertaken by these companies since they were acquired by Chinese interests. Specifically, Smithfield has spent approximately $24 million on lobbying in Washington. This spending has primarily focused on key issues such as pesticide regulation and foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, both of which are pivotal in the context of the Farm Bill.
However, what raises eyebrows further is the systematic concealment of the companies' ties to foreign ownership. Since 2019, Smithfield's lobbyists consistently reported "None" or left the disclosure lines blank regarding any foreign entities involved in their lobbying activities. Similarly, Syngenta has failed to disclose their foreign ownership in their lobbying reports, which date back to at least 2017. This lack of transparency is not only misleading but also raises ethical concerns about their influence on U.S. agricultural policy.
The political spending extends beyond lobbying, with the two companies' political action committees (PACs) contributing nearly $2.5 million to federal and state candidates, with notable donations made to President Trump's inaugural committee. Alarmingly, 139 current lawmakers have accepted contributions from these PACs, with House Agriculture Chairman Glenn
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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