In the most recent year of data, Americans spent almost $9 billion on pesticides for agricultural use. Benchmarks outlined in a new report from As You Sow, titled “Pesticides in the Pantry: Transparency & Risk in Food Supply Chains,” identify the degree to which major food manufacturers have adopted practices to measure and mitigate risks related to the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural supply chains. Read More →
Read MoreMost large U.S. food companies are doing little or nothing to reduce pesticide use in their supply chains, according to a recent report.
Read MoreBy stepping up to lead efforts on sustainable agriculture, General Mills Inc. has dodged a proxy fight with shareholder activist group As You Sow over the use of pesticides in the company’s supply chain.
Read MoreAn environmental group that wages shareholder resolution campaigns dropped a complaint against General Mills after the company acknowledged pesticides are a problem in food supplies and outlined steps to reduce their use.
Read MoreLast week, I participated in the 2nd Conference on Fossil Fuel Supply and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford in England.
Read MoreA group of environmentally minded investors persuaded about one-third of General Mills’ voting shareholders to support a proposal aimed at eliminating pesticide use from the company’s supply chain.
As You Sow has brought this issue to the attention of major companies, including Kellogg, a leader in sustainable agriculture who responded by agreeing to survey its supply chain about pre-harvest use of glyphosate.
"Experts, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, agree that pesticides are not necessary or helpful to feed the world," said Danielle Fugere, president of As You Sow. "Investors would be prudent to analyze their exposure to pesticide-intensive agriculture and prioritize sustainable solutions."
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