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The GMO importers
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The campaign against GM crops has been successful on an unprecedented scale. Through popular resistance, one of the biggest global trends in the corporate economy is being stopped in its tracks. The corporate targets for the campaign have been Monsanto (and other seed companies) at one end of the supply chain, and supermarkets and manufacturers at the other. Much less attention has been given to the companies which link farmer to retailer - ie the distributors, primary processors and exporter / importers. Yet it is these companies which have the greatest grip on the supply chain, with just two companies - Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) - controlling 70% of the market.
Cargill, the largest privately-owned corporation in the world, is also the most powerful company in the food industry. It controls vast swathes of the supply chain, and uses its sheer muscle to bully its suppliers, customers, competitors and the general public into submission. Against the public rejection of genetically modified food, it is Cargill more than any other company which has ensured that GMOs continue to be forced down consumers’ throats. Yet Cargill is also a key strategic target for GMO campaigners - if we can shift Cargill’s position, we will have won....
Cargill’s rival ADM has so far acted with Cargill to prevent the development of a substantial non-GM market. Yet it is far more opportunistic than Cargill, and although still a fan, it is less committed to the GMO project than Cargill. It is this far more likely to reject GMOs than is Cargill, although if it does Cargill will probably be forced to follow. In our analysis, a decision by ADM before the USA plantings in early 2001 is THE most significant factor in determining whether GMOs succeed or not, at least in the short term.
Corporate Watch is producing a set of 3 briefings on these companies. They will be available from 8th July 2000. So bookmark this page to return to, or alternatively e-mail to request a copy, specifying whether you’d like a paper version, an e-mail version or notification that it is available on the website.
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Contents |
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1) Introduction and overview
It’s the USA, stupid!
The US bulk commodities system
To segregate or not to segregate
Cargill refuses to segregate
ADM wobbles
Other players
The cost of non-GM supply
The extent of non-GM supply
Future outlook - will the market ‘switch’?
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2) Cargill – arrogance incorporated
CARGILL + GMOs
Soy story - Cargill’s vision of a GM future
Force feeding - Cargill controls the market
Beside the seed side
Partners in crime - Cargill’s joint ventures with life sciences companies
Can Cargill be pushed into non-GM?
Second generation GMOs
The giant and its bean talk - Cargill’s GM spin
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CARGILL - GENERAL PICTURE
This is Cargill - company profile
Selling starvation - the global impact of Cargill
A run-down of corporate crimes
Influence over governments
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CARGILL IN THE UK
Main activities
Locations + sites
Top decision-makers in the company, especially in UK
Subcontractors, consultants, suppliers
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3) ADM: value-added attacks on the food supply
ADM + GMOs
ADM’s interest in GMOs
ADM’s role in the GMO supply chain
Calls for segregation
ADM’s seed interests
Partners in crime - ADM’s joint ventures with life sciences companies
Can ADM be pushed into non-GM?
Second generation GMOs
ADM’s GM spin
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ADM GENERAL PICTURE
This is ADM - company profile
Selling starvation - the global impact of ADM
A run-down of corporate crimes
Influence over governments, corporate welfare
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ADM IN THE UK
Main activities
Locations + sites
Top decision-makers in the company, especially in UK
Subcontractors, consultants, suppliers
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