How agribusiness lobbying boosts corporate control over food and climate policy
Industrial agriculture companies spent hundreds of millions lobbying Congress ahead of the stalled farm bill debate, further distancing everyday Americans from decisions shaping the nation’s food systems and climate future.
Brian Calvert reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- A 2024 report from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that agribusiness lobbying — closely tied to the fossil fuel industry — has surged, contributing to policies that sideline small farms and intensify climate impacts.
- Lobbying by groups like the Farm Bureau, which spent nearly $16 million on farm bill advocacy since 2019, helps maintain a system where corporate profits override environmental and public health needs.
- Industrial farming’s dependence on energy-intensive chemical inputs fuels biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions, disproportionately burdening underserved and marginalized communities.
Key quote:
“[Our food] system doesn’t give us a choice on what food we eat, how it’s grown, or what we buy at the grocery store. The system is set up for big agribusiness to keep profiteering.”
— Omanjana Goswami, Food and Environment Program Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Why this matters:
The close relationship between agribusiness and fossil fuel companies means that American food policy doesn’t just affect what people eat — it also deepens the climate crisis. Industrial agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, while squeezing out smaller, more diverse farms that tend to use more sustainable methods. This consolidation of power makes it harder for new or disadvantaged farmers to enter the field and exacerbates environmental injustice. Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods often bear the brunt of air and water pollution linked to both agriculture and energy production.
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