E.I. DuPont de Nemours

Proxy Season Update: DuPont

2014 Annual Meeting: 10:30 AM EDT, Wednesday, April 23, 2014
DuPont Theatre in the DuPont Building, 1007 Market St., Wilmington, DE 19898

DuPont has two pending ESG shareholder proposals in 2014.

  • ENVIRONMENT: Genetically Modified Foods and Pesticides
    • In a new formulation that ties increased pesticide use to GMO seed, the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth want DuPont to report within the next year “on how the company is monitoring herbicide utilization with its seed products: volumes toxicity equivalents, studies and analysis on the impact to health and environment.” A similar proposal also from the Sisters of Charity about patent protection for DuPont seeds earned 5.6 percent support in 2013, while earlier proposals from ICCR members also inquired about protecting the “seed saving rights of traditional agricultural communities,” with about the same level of support.

  • POLITICAL ACTIVITY: Lobbying
    • This proposal filed by As You Sow asks “that the board of directors adopt a policy to refrain from using corporate funds to influence any political election.” The key focus, as expressed in the whereas clauses and supporting statement, is spending by each company to defeat state ballot initiatives about labeling genetically modified food. The proponents argue that such spending alienates customers “and can damage a corporation’s reputation and profits.” They conclude companies should not spend anything on elections, including:

      …independent expenditures, electioneering communications, and issue advocacy that can reasonably be interpreted as in support or opposition of a specific candidate or ballot measure. The policy should include measures, to the greatest extent practical, to prevent trade associations or non-profit corporations from channeling our company’s contributions or membership dues to influence the outcome of any election or referendum.

For more information, download Proxy Preview 2014 to find more GMO or lobbying shareholder resolutions.