Monsanto

Monsanto Company is a chemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed and of the herbicide glyphosate, which it markets under the Roundup brand.

Shareholders Press Monsanto to Disclose Political Lobbying

Transparency Proposal Filed by As You Sow Supported by 24.5% of Investors

Our shareholder proposal calling for Monsanto to disclose all lobbying payments was supported by 24.5% of Monsanto shareholders, collectively representing $10 billion. The proposal was brought forward as part of a coalition of investors advocating for lobbying disclosure, coordinated by AFSCME and Walden Asset Management.

Read our statement

The resolution calls for the company to disclose policy and procedures governing political lobbying; all payments used for direct, indirect, or grassroots lobbying; and all payments to organizations that write and endorse model legislation.

Lobbying can create unnecessary risks to a company’s reputation by alienating their customers. Shareholders are demanding transparency so that we can determine whether the company’s lobbying could endanger our investments. Monsanto’s management has been channeling money through third parties to hide their involvement – it’s critical for investors to see the full picture.

The high vote at Monsanto demonstrates increased investor awareness of lobbying liabilities. A similar As You Sow resolution with DuPont will be voted on at the company’s annual meeting in April. After dialogue with As You Sow, Dow Chemical agreed to increase its lobbying disclosures and report every organization to which the company gives more than $25,000 per year.

As You Sow has also engaged with Monsanto on issues related to genetically modified organisms in food. Read more about our engagements with Monsanto below.

GMOs and Pesticides 2017

STATUS: 28.3%

BE IT RESOLVED: The shareowners of Monsanto request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing: 1. Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications. 2. All payments by Monsanto used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient. 3. Monsanto’s membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation. 4. Description of the decision making process and oversight by management and the Board for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above. For purposes of this proposal, a “grassroots lobbying communication” is a communication directed to the general public that: (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. “Indirect lobbying” is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Monsanto is a member. Both “direct and indirect lobbying” and “grassroots lobbying communications” include efforts at the local, state and federal levels. The report shall be presented to the Audit Committee or other relevant oversight committees and posted on Monsanto’s website.

Filing Documents

Press

Related 2017 Engagements

GMOs and Pesticides 2016

STATUS: 20.8%

BE IT RESOLVED: The shareowners of Monsanto request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

  1. Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.
  2. Payments by Monsanto used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient.
  3. Monsanto’s membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.
  4. Description of the decision making process and oversight by management and the Board for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above.
For purposes of this proposal, a “grassroots lobbying communication” is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. “Indirect lobbying” is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Monsanto is a member. Both “direct and indirect lobbying” and “grassroots lobbying communications” include efforts at the local, state and federal levels. The report shall be presented to the Audit Committee or other relevant oversight committees and posted on Monsanto’s website.

Filing Documents

Related 2016 Engagements

GMOs and Pesticides 2015

STATUS: 24.5%

BE IT RESOLVED: That the shareowners of Monsanto request the Board authorize the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing: (1) Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications. (2) Payments by Monsanto used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient. (3) Monsanto’s membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation. Description of the decision making process and oversight by management and the Board for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above.

Filing Documents

Press

Related 2015 Engagements