The Union of Concerned Scientists recently released a report analyzing the influence of lobbying on food and agriculture systems. The report finds that agribusinesses, industry associations, and other interest groups have spent more than US$500 million to influence legislation, including the Farm Bill, between 2019 and 2023. The Farm Bill is an omnibus bill that covers issues across food and agriculture systems including financial credit for farmers, resource conservation and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is renewed approximately every five years by Congress. The current Farm Bill, which expired in September 2023, was extended for an additional year, but that extension has now expired. The researchers looked at quarterly lobbying disclosure reports and campaign donations to Congress officials associated with the Farm Bill during reelection periods in 2019-2023 to determine the reach of influence of corporate lobbying over the bill. Karen Stillerman, Deputy Director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasized the responsibility of legislators to uphold the needs of small and midsize farms, historically marginalized farmers, food workers, and consumers.
Scientists examining corporate influence over food and farm bill
