Big companies have spent over $400 million lobbying Congress on the new farm bill much more than public groups with both parties wanting more crop insurance and export support while critics say the focus should be on small farms and communities.
Big Companies Outspend Public Groups in Lobbying for New Farm Bill
According to The Hill, a new report by the Union for Concerned Scientists (UCS) shows that big companies in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and agriculture have spent over $400 million lobbying Congress about the new farm bill. This is over four times more than what public groups like nonprofits, unions, and local governments have spent, which is $95 million. Karen Perry Stillerman from UCS said these big companies started lobbying right after the last farm bill in 2018 to influence the new one.
The farm bill, set to expire in 2023 but extended by a year has a budget of $1.5 trillion over four years. Lobbying increased as the expiration date got closer. This month, Republicans and Democrats showed their different priorities for the farm bill but both agreed on more crop insurance for large farms and more support for food exports. However, Republicans want even more funding for crop insurance.
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Pharmaceutical and Agribusiness Giants Spend $400 Million to Shape Farm Bill – Outpacing Public Sector Groups $305 Million! (PHOTO: Prairie Californian)
UCS Calls for Focus on Public Interest in Farm Bill Amid Criticism of Corporate Influence
Furthermore, the UCS report criticizes the current system that benefits big companies over people’s and the environment’s well-being. They believe lawmakers should focus on helping small and midsize farms, diverse farmers, food workers, and communities instead of just big corporations. As Congress works on the farm bill the fight between corporate influence and public interest is a key issue.
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