Transcript Influencing Government: Food Lobbies and Lobbyists Marion Nestle

Influencing Government:
Food Lobbies and
Lobbyists
Marion Nestle
What is Lobbying
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Lobbying: “any legal attempt by
individuals or groups to influence
government policy or action”
Why it is done
1.
2.
3.
Promote interests of special interest
groups
Attempt to influence policies that will
effect the group
Communicate to government officials
about current legislation and interests of
group
How it is done
Offer expertise on subject (why it has not
been more restricted)
Make social contacts
Contribute to political campaigns
Lawsuits and harassing critics
History of loopholes
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1787- James Madison concerned over potential
disruptive actions of “factions”
1911- Congress makes lobbying legal; must
register and state source of funds. Trouble
enforcing, lobbying seen as unstoppable
Lobbyist spends 20% of time on activities,
receives $5000+/ 6 mths, have contact with
govt. officials
If the person does not meet all of these criteria,
then they are not considered lobbyists and do
not have to register
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Tried limiting gifts that are allowed
No recreational trips or gifts worth
$100+/yr
1.42 billion spent in 1998
Estimated that 38 lobbyists spending 2.7
million/ congress person
Government and agriculture
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At the end of WWII, farmers see USDA as
“their department”, have most of the
control
In the 70’s farmers begin to lose control to
public, large companies, and advocacy
groups
House changes committee members, as
well as duties
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Revolving door: people involved in
government often do, have or will work for
lobbying firms or private companies.
Done throughout all branches (USDA,
congress, FDA)
1998- 128 former members of congress
were working for private lobbying firms
1971- USDA secretary and head of Ralston
Purina trade places
2001- Secretary of Agriculture appoints
lobbyist from National Cattleman Beef
Asso. as chief of staff
WHY
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Often private positions pay better than
government positions, where they get
training.
Is it possible for people to forget former
employers when they join the
government?
Michael Taylor- he got around
Lawyer for FDA
Now part of a
think tank in DC
Private Law
firm for Monsanto
Monsanto’s VP of Public Policy,
quits during controversy over GE foods
Back to FDA as Deputy Commissioner for policy
Investigation by
General Accounting
Office, no charges
Back to
Private
practice
Food, Safety and Inspection
Administrator in USDA
The money chain
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Hard to distinguish how much money is
spent because so much happens at social
events
1998- estimated 67 million by tobacco, 52
million elsewhere
Hard money vs. soft money
Hard money
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Given through Political Action Committees
PACs meant to collect and distribute money
through voluntary campaign contributions.
PACs that represent public interest, safety or
consumer rights are the minority!
Federal Election Campaign Act:
Totals are governed by legislation
 does not restrict total number of candidates that it
can contribute to, or number of PACs an individual
can donate to
1974- 608 PACs, 12.5 million
1982- 3400 PACs, 83 million
1990- 4700 PACs, 370 million
1998- 4700 PACs, .5 billion

Money usually goes to the candidates who
are likely to support the groups interests,
and those of the people making the
donations
People argue over whether the contributions
change peoples minds, or whether the
PACs choose to support people with
similar interests
95% of PAC money goes to incumbents,
suggesting that the money is a reward for voting
records.
Research in the 1980’s showed that people who
received funds from dairy PACs were twice as
likely to vote for price supports. Legislators
rewarded by the dairy industry for their voting
record were 2.5 times as likely to continue to
vote that way.
This was seen in a more recent study done with
sugar PACs; that those who voted for them got
the largest donations, and those who received
donations were likely to stay that way.
Soft Money
The Election Campaign Act was only for
federal elections, so people get around it
by making donations to state or national
political funds that candidates might like.
These donations have no cap, no
restrictions, and do not have to be
recorded.
Happy Birthday Senator!
1996 Lobbying reform Law:
Cannot accept a gift worth $51+ or more than
$100 in one year
Restricted the vacations that senators can accept
lOOPS-holes: can take trips of it is
a.
Sponsored by a political party
b.
A fact finding mission
c.
Conference invited to speak at
1989-1990: House members took over
4,000 trips sponsored (390 from
agriculture), over $500,00 in gifts
1996-1997: 87 Senators. 356 House
members, 2020 staff took over 8.6 million
worth in trips.
*Most agricultural companies make
donations to the Republican party because
they are more likely to support business.
Banana example
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Chiquita Banana
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1998- gave $176,000 to Dems and $360,000
to Reps in soft money through an insurance
business
1998, EU put limits on banana imports, to try
and help former colonies with their bananas
US reps file suit with WTO, saying it “violated
international trade agreement”
US puts tariffs on EU luxury goods, and WTO
supports
WHY
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Government actions towards the banana
industry were different than those towards other
products
Reporters suggested it was an attempt to
strengthen WTO power in disputes
Could have been trying to help recoup losses…
BUT
When EU offered to drop, Chiquita refused,
blamed Clinton admin, threatened bankruptcy,
and sued EU for $525 million
Sugar, Sugar
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Weird relationship between industry and
health.
Lower prices: good for health, bad for
economy
Of 15,400 sugar cane and beer farmers
42% of government subsidies go to 1% of
farmers
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Owners give to both parties, although
more to democrats.
Sugarcane fields thought to block water to
the Everglades, as well as using workers
from Caribbean countries in conditions
that have raised human rights concerns
Farmers resist attempts to be forced into
improving conditions, or return land for
Everglade restoration.
Conclusions
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Connections with government officials
allow agricultural producers to affect the
legislation that is pertinent to their
product
“Job of food lobbyists is to see that
government”
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Does not hinder sales of product
Creates “supportive sales environment”
This is done through the “revolving door”
and contacts made within the field, as well
as through financial contributions
Despite the legislation that is put into place
to prevent people in government from
being bought, lobbying continues to be a
powerful force in decision making