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Influencing Government Food Lobbies and Lobbyists

Influencing Government Food Lobbies and Lobbyists. Megan Schrader. Lobbying. “Any legal attempt by individuals or groups to influence government policy or action” Methods Campaign contributions Staging media events Encouraging lawsuits They are paid to represent the interests of companies.

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Influencing Government Food Lobbies and Lobbyists

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  1. Influencing GovernmentFood Lobbies and Lobbyists Megan Schrader

  2. Lobbying • “Any legal attempt by individuals or groups to influence government policy or action” • Methods • Campaign contributions • Staging media events • Encouraging lawsuits • They are paid to represent the interests of companies

  3. The History • 1787-James Madison • It would be controlled by majority rule • 150 years later • 1911 • Loopholes • 1995 • Closed some loopholes • People now had to register • Spend 20% of time lobbying • Contact with govt officials or staff • Paid more than $5000 during six months of lobbying work • 15000 to 20000 registered between ‘97 and ’99

  4. Influencing Today • End of WWII • Agricultural Establishment • Control of federal policy • Members of congress preferred • 1970s-New groups demanding influence • Consumers • Large processing and marketing companies • Advocates for the poor • 1950s-Boom in food lobbying groups • 50s-25 • 80s-84 • 90s-thousands

  5. The “Revolving Door” • Not new • 1968 • 23 former senators and 90 former representatives registered as lobbyists • One example: JoAnne Smith • Early 90s • Former president of National Cattlemen’s Association • Appointed Chief of the USDAs Food Marketing and Inspections Division

  6. Political Action Committees • Hard Money • Legally sanctioned money • Allows PACs to donate up to $5000 to a candidate • No limit to number of candidates they can donate to • 97-98 election cycle • 4700 PACs raised more than half a billion dollars • Typically, PACs will donate more money to Republican members of congress • PAC contributions have big impact on voting decisions

  7. Political Action Committees cont. • Soft Money • State and national organizations • Very large loophole • Unrestricted amounts • Source doesn't need to be disclosed • More goes towards Republicans • Flo-Sun • Dole Food • 97-99 • $1.1 million – Democrats • $3.8 Million – Republicans

  8. Giving Presents • 1996 • Legislation to limit number of gifts • Worth $50 • No more than $100 • Large loophole pre-legislation • Vacations • Trips and speaking fees • After legislation • Only members of congress • 96-97 – 87 senators, 356 representatives and 2,020 staff employees • Paid trips worth $8.6 million

  9. The Banana Wars • Chiquita Brands International • Head- Carl H. Linder • 1999-2000 contributed $500,000 (soft money) to republicans and $250,000 to democrats • Late 90s- European Union • Chiquita pressured allies on congress • WTO complaint filed • EU ordered to comply • “$5.5 million in campaign contributions…bought Chiquita access in Washington”

  10. Sugar • 200+ years • Americans pay more • 8-14 cents higher per raw pound • Benefit small amount of producers • 1991- 1700 sugarcane farms and 13,700 sugar beet farms • 42% of subsides went to 1% of growers • Fanjul Family • $60 million in subsides annually • 97-98 contributed $350,000 to both political parties • More given to democrats through Flo-Sun • Environmental Problems • Blocking water to Everglades • Connections to avoid cleanup • Apparent connections to the president

  11. Overall Buying access Favorable policies Change how we live our lives

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