Corteva Agriscience

Background

Corteva is a major U.S.-based agricultural and chemical firm. It was formerly the agricultural unit of DowDupont, which spun it off as an independent publicly-traded company in 2019.  

In 2019, Corteva reported annual revenues of US$13.85 billion USD, US$6.26 billion of which came from the sales of “crop protection” products. In 2020, the company reported US$14.217 billion USD in annual revenues. For the quarter ending September 30, 2021, Corteva reported US$2.371 billion USD in revenues, a 27.3 percent increase from the previous year.1Corteva Revenue 2018 – 2021 | CTVA,” Macro Trends. Archived May 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WMRWI

In 2019, The North American market accounted for half the firm’s sales, along with 21 percent in Latin America, 20 percent in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 9 percent in the Asia-Pacific region.2Keep Growing,Corteva Annual Report 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/rnGIa 

Corteva currently operates in roughly 140 countries, with a workforce of about 21,000 employees. The firm operates 75 seed facilities, as well as 104 manufacturing sites, including 29 crop protection sites: seven in North America, 10 in Latin America, seven in the Asia-Pacific region, and five across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.3Largest Pure-Play AG Company, Agri Marketing, March 1, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/F0IkY 4Keep Growing,Corteva Annual Report 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/rnGIa

Stance on Climate Change

The Dow Chemical Company and DuPont were both members of the Global Climate Coalition, an industry group active in the 1990s that fought against measures to curtail climate change.5Global Climate Coalition Files,” DeSmog. Archived September 15, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/7f1wO The firms merged in 2017 to form DowDuPont.6Dow, DuPont complete planned merger to form DowDuPont,” CNBC, September 1, 2017. Archived November 29, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MMvXE 

DuPont was also a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which has lobbied against climate action.7Randall G. Shelden, “The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)”, Centre on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, 2011. Archived on September 15, 2020 Dow Chemical discontinued financial support for ALEC in 2018.8Charles Koch Ramps Up Investment in ALEC as the Lobbying Group Loses Corporate Funders Over Far-Right Ties”, The Intercept, 2018. Archived on August 18 2020.

In 2020, a page on Corteva’s website said it would “establish… appropriate [greenhouse gas] reduction targets by June 1, 2021.”9Goals to Benefit our Operations,” Corteva Agriscience. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/p95k2The company’s Sustainability Goals webpage has since been updated with specific targets, including a 65 percent intensity reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and 20 percent intensity reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030. The company also claims that every new Corteva product will meet internal sustainability criteria by 2025.10Goals to Benefit our Operations,” Corteva Agriscience. Archived November 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ianlP

In 2018, Corteva CEO Jim Collins announced a focus on investments in technology-driven solutions to climate change, saying: “As climate change has moved some cropping practices around, new pests are constantly emerging and we have to stay ahead of these changing trends.”11Sarantis Michalopoulos. “Corteva Boss: ‘Mother Nature’ changes the game quickly and demands new agricultural tools,” EURACTIV, June 15, 2018. Archived January 24, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/B9NNH 

In a column published by the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2019, Collins announced a US$500,000 “Corteva Agriscience Climate Positive Challenge,” which the company says will reward farmers for pursuing carbon sequestration techniques.12James C. Collins. “We Can Achieve Climate-Positive Agriculture Today,Farm Bureau, October 30, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/obPb2 “Some folks believe that agriculture is part of the problem and causing all this (climate change) when, in reality, we believe agriculture is part of the solution,” he told trade publication Successful Farming when the challenge was announced.13Gil Gullickson. “Corteva Agriscience Commits $500,000 to Carbon Sequestration Program for Farmers,” Successful Farming, October 17, 2019.  Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7NCxr

Collins also advocated for Corteva to have a seat at the table during conversations on climate change, according to a September 2019 report by trade publication Agri-Pulse. “‘An integral part of the mission of Corteva is to use our convening power within our industry and across the entire food value chain to help bring about more sustainable and more collaborative solutions,’ Collins said. “For too long, the conversation around climate change has taken place in echo chambers: Businesses talking to business leaders, regulators talking to regulators, scientists, just talking to scientists and NGOs, with other NGOs. It turns out all of us are part of the solution here.”14Philip Brasher. “Corteva CEO pushing industry to address climate change,Argi-Pulse, September 25, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/9GVO0

In 2018, representatives from Corteva and the U.S Agency for International Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop relations and support Feed the Future, a U.S. initiative to reduce global hunger and improve food security.15Office of Press Relations. “USAID Administrator Mark Green And Corteva Agriscience Future Chief Executive Officer Jim Collins To Sign Global Memorandum Of Understanding,” USAID, November 7, 2018. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/NJvEf In 2019, the company Longitude carried out research for Corteva that found around 52 percent of European consumers would be willing to pay up to 20 percent more for sustainably-produced food.16Sarah Murray. “Food production that does not cost the earth,Financial Times, September 25, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/jTLI1

In November 2019, Corteva Vice President of Global Responsibility Henri Moore participated in a panel discussion on “New, Inclusive Definition of Sustainable Food Production,” held during the Financial Times Global Food Systems Summit. According to a summary of his remarks, Moore said that “farmers who invest more in sustainable farming, lose more” because “consumer willingness to pay more [for sustainably grown food] has not been passed on to the farmers growing their food.”17Growing Consensus for a New, Inclusive Definition of Sustainable Food Production,” Corteva, December 6, 2019. Archived September 23, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cxhlC 

Moore also said that Corteva’s annual US$1.2 billion investment in research and development would be “vital to supplying the innovations in green crop protection, new plant breeding, and digital technologies that will fuel a climate-positive agricultural transformation,” helping the company ”make agriculture part of the solution to climate change.”18Growing Consensus for a New, Inclusive Definition of Sustainable Food Production,” Corteva, December 6, 2019. Archived September 23, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cxhlC 

In its 2020 Sustainability report, its first as an independent public company, Corteva claimed that it has been “delivering innovative climate positive agriculture solutions to farmers and ranchers that benefit our planet, our industry, and the global food system.”19Sustainability Report 2020,” Corteva Agriscience. Archived September 20, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Corteva has claimed that it is possible to “restore and preserve desirable habitat for pollinators and wildlife in harmony with producing an affordable and abundant food supply.” The firm claims a goal of “enhanc[ing] biodiversity on 10 million hectares of grazing lands and natural ecosystems globally through sustainable management practices and habitat conservation by 2030.”20Sustainability Report 2020,” Corteva Agriscience, 2020. Archived September 20, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

In an opinion piece titled “Farming for the Future,” published in Politico Europe to mark the release of the report, Corteva Senior Vice President for External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer Anne Alonzo wrote:21Anne Alonzo. “Farming for the Future,” Politico Europe, June 2, 2021. Archived July 4, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DMUrd 

“We at Corteva measure success by the role we play in making climate-positive agriculture more productive, environmentally beneficial and profitable. We will work with farmers and other stakeholders in the food supply chain around the world to impactfully reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated from agriculture activities.” 

In response to the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy, which is designed to make the European agriculture and food system more sustainable as part of a wider package of measures introduced under the EU’s European Green Deal, Corteva stated:22Morgan Gray, Corteva Agriscience. “Farming for the Future,” EURACTIV, September 18, 2020. Archived October 3, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1c5ZA 

“We at Corteva believe in the objectives of the EU’s Green Deal. And we look forward to contributing to the European Commission’s Farm To Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system.” 

The Green Deal package, which encompasses the Farm to Fork strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, aims to transform European agriculture into a sustainable food system by shifting food production away from industrial farming. The package includes targets to reduce pesticide use 50 percent and expand organic agriculture 25 percent by 2030.23Elena Sánchez Nicolás. “What’s in the EU’s new agri-food, biodiversity policy,” EU Observer, May 20, 2020. Archived May 28, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KAr92 24Derailing EU Rules on New GMOs,” Corporate Europe Observatory, March 29, 2021. Archived October 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ES6n6

Regenerative Agriculture

Corteva’s leadership has been heavily involved in promoting regenerative agricultural strategies on climate change. “‘We believe that farmers are the solution to mitigate climate change,’ Collins said at a March 2020 Canadian Crops Convention, according to the trade publication World-Grain.com. “Progress will only come if we develop a regulatory environment that allows farmers greater flexibility, not more restrictions.”25Susan Reidy. “Corteva responding to changes in agriculture supply chain,” World-Grain, March 6, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/KtLD4

In a 2019 column published by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Collins argued that regenerative agriculture techniques could allow farms to sequester greenhouse gases in their soil. “In fact, when practices like diverse crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tillage, precision nitrogen management and improved grazing systems are fully adopted,” he claimed, “farmers and ranchers could achieve net-negative GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions.”26James C. Collins. “We Can Achieve Climate-Positive Agriculture Today,Farm Bureau, October 30, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/obPb2

In 2020, Corteva joined Danone, MSD Animal Health, Neogen FutureCow, Yara and DSM in the “Farm 4 Generation,” a three-year coalition to support dairy farmers in implementing regenerative agriculture practices across the U.S., Russia and Europe.27Spain, F4G Spanish Farmers,” Danone. Archived November 28, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/BTfBN 

In April 2021, Corteva announced the launch of a “Carbon and Ecosystems Services portfolio,” which it claims will “enable the carbon sequestration process, ease access to carbon credits and create flexible solutions to help farmers increase profitability while contributing to a climate change solution.” Speaking about the portfolio, Alonzo said: “There is increased understanding that sustainable climate change mitigation is not only critical for our environment but also for ensuring the ongoing health of the farming sector globally.”28Corteva Agriscience. “Corteva Agriscience Creates New Carbon and Ecosystems Services Portfolio Focused on Making Agriculture More Climate Positive,” AgriBusiness Global, April 16, 2021. Archived November 28, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VYMqe 

In June 2021, Corteva announced a goal to offset 100 tons of carbon from its UK farming operations, which it said it would deliver by working with Gentle Farming, an umbrella group for UK farms employing regenerative farming practices that also offers certified carbon offsets.29Corteva works with farms to offset 100 tonnes of carbon,” FarmingUK, June 14, 2021. Archived June 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Rk92n 

In August 2021, Corteva announced a partnership with farm technology and services provider Indigo Ag to expand its U.S. agricultural carbon trading program for 2022. The project, named the Corteva Carbon Initiative, allows farmers implementing “sustainable” practices — such as reducing tillage and increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use — to earn money by selling “credits” to other companies seeking to offset their own carbon emissions. The initiative will initially pay farmers around US$15 USD per acre for “shifting to practices that pollute less, use fewer chemicals or farm crops that pull carbon from the atmosphere and lock it in the soil.”Karl Plume.30Corteva, Indigo Ag team up on carbon credit program for U.S. farmers,” Reuters, August 26, 2021. Archived October 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KUWHu


Read more: Regenerative Agriculture – Criticisms and Concerns


Digital and Precision Agriculture

On its website, Corteva suggests that “the future of agriculture and our world’s food supply will likely come down to those who can adjust their techniques and employ new innovations to adapt to current conditions.”31Water in Agriculture: Adapting to a Changing Climate,” Corteva. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/wI9Le

In 2019, Collins told Agri-pulse that “no industry has been impacted more by climate change than agriculture.” The industry needs to “work smarter, more efficiently, and with a smaller carbon footprint,” he said. The publication described Collins as “optimistic that farmers could reduce greenhouse gas emissions through new crop traits, precision agriculture and improved farming practices.”32Philip Brasher. “Corteva CEO pushing industry to address climate change,Argi-Pulse, September 25, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/9GVO0

In a Corteva-sponsored Politico article in June 2020, Alonzo used the COVID-19 pandemic as a framework to promote the company’s goals in increasing the “resilience of our global food system over the next 10 years.” Alonzo made specific reference to using “integrated solutions that combine seeds, seed applied technologies, agronomy advice, and digital services with crop protection products” to navigate through the crisis.33Anne L. Alonzo. “A stronger and more resilient future for agriculture,” Politico, June 1, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/2yViy  

Amid the pandemic, Corteva has called for a focus on “innovation” in farming. Teslenko said in EURACTIV that “the current COVID-19 health crisis has laid bare the vulnerabilities of our seemingly strong system and it is more important than ever that we address our weak points by focusing on education and promoting the innovation that enables farmers to keep improving.”34Igor Teslenko. “Embracing innovation for a stable and secure food supply,” EURACTIV, March 24, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/qVOui

Teslenko went on to say that “embracing innovation remains key,” and argued that Europe needs to commit to “introducing adaptation measures and innovative agricultural management ideas to balance social demand, climate change and mitigate risks.”35Igor Teslenko. “Embracing innovation for a stable and secure food supply,” EURACTIV, March 24, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/qVOui

In its reporting of Teslenko’s comments, NGO Corporate Europe Observatory stated, “Why exactly the corona crisis would require less focus on social and environmental demands remains unclear.”36“Corona Lobby Watch. Opportunistic lobbyists abuse the EU’s unprecedented health crisis,”Corporate Europe Observatory, May 1, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/9twTL


Read more: Digital and Precision Agriculture – Criticisms and Concerns


Role in Pesticides Controversy

Herbicides comprise about 52 percent of Corteva’s pesticide sales, insecticides 26 percent, and fungicides 17 percent.37Keep Growing,Corteva Annual Report 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/rnGIa 

DowDuPont’s decision to spin off Corteva has been linked by some to the company’s liability for worldwide perfluorooctanoic acids (PFAS) pollution, which scientists call “forever chemicals,” because they strongly resist breaking down in the environment.38“Breaking Down Toxic PFAS,” Earth Justice, February 20, 2020. Archived September 2, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/7Do0x “Chemours [another DuPont spin-off], with primary responsibility for the estimated tens of billions of dollars in PFAS obligations, does not have anywhere near the money or assets to cover [PFAS liabilities],” NBC News reported in March 2020. “If Chemours becomes insolvent, Corteva Inc. will be responsible, corporate filings show. Corteva does not have the funds to cover tens of billions in estimated PFAS costs either.”39Gretchen Morgenson. “How DuPont may avoid paying to clean up a toxic ‘forever chemical’,” NBC News, March 1, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/NEAwD

PFAS are a group of over 4,000 poly- and perfluoroalkyl human-made chemicals that include PFOA, a chemical used by DuPont to make Teflon-coated products.40Sarah Gibbens. “Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ more common in tap water than thought, report says,” National Geographic, January 24, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/2JYpR 41Sharon Lerner. “The Teflon Toxin; DuPont and the Chemistry of Deception,” The Intercept, August 11, 2015. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/qEvlb

In litigation later made famous in the movie Dark Waters, attorney Rob Bilott uncovered internal DuPont company documents showing early evidence of PFOA’s hazards and won lawsuits over PFAS’ harmful health effects and their ability to cause cancers.42Sharon Kelly. “Teflon’s Toxic Legacy,Earth Island Journal. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/D9zx0 PFAS are now publicly known to be nearly indestructible, have spread rapidly worldwide, and can now be found in most people’s blood.43Rebecca Hersher. “Scientists Dig Into Hard Questions About The Fluorinated Pollutants Known As PFAS,NPR, April 22, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/5gLP2 44Nathanial Rich, “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Nightmare”, New York Times, Archived on September 17, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/xjPiD

Corteva’s 2019 annual report discloses a number of significant environmental lawsuits and liabilities.45Keep Growing,Corteva Annual Report 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/rnGIa These include a deadly release of methyl mercaptan in La Porte, Texas in 2014 ––  an incident that later led to a US$3.195 million settlement in June,46Cheryl Hogue. “Corteva to pay $3 million for pollution problems at former DuPont site in La Porte, Texas,Chemical and Engineering News, July 13, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/lVAx2 2020 and the permanent closure of the plant in 2016. Other disclosures include a “discussion” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice about Clean Air Act non-compliance at Corteva’s Denka La Place, Louisiana neoprene business, contamination at a New Jersey facility, and extensive PFAS/PFC/PFOA liabilities.47DuPont Settlement Information Sheet,EPA, July 13, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/Rv9Xc

A February 2020 investigation by Greenpeace’s Unearthed journalism project found that “close to half” (41 percent) of the leading products of the agrochemical giants BASF, Bayer, Corteva, FMC and Syngenta, all of which are members of CropLife International, contained at least one ”highly-hazardous pesticide.“ Unearthed reported that of the firms’ US$13.4 billion USD of sales, US$4.8 billion involved chemicals found by regulatory agencies to pose human and environmental health hazards, including acute poisoning or chronic illness in people, as well as high toxicity to bees and other wildlife.” The reporting highlighted a fungicide called cyproconazole, manufactured by Corteva, which the European Chemical Agency classifies as a reproductive toxin.48Crispin Dowler. “Revealed: The pesticide giants making billions on toxic and bee-harming chemicals,Unearthed, February 20, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/lPZS5

Corteva announced in February 2020 that it would cease production of the controversial pesticide chlorpyrifos.49Stéphane Foucart and Stéphane Horel. “US chemist Corteva to stop producing chlorpyrifos by the end of 2020,” Le Monde, February 8, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/RCShJ In August 2021, the EPA issued a final rule banning all food uses of the pesticide.50Erin Fitzgerald. “EPA to Ban Chlorpyrifos, Finally,” Earthjustice, August 18, 2021. Archived September 28, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YRb2t

Genetically Modified Organisms 

Gene editing in agriculture is the process of adding, enhancing or removing specific traits from the DNA of an organism. Genetic modification can make crops more resistant to certain environmental conditions, including pests, chemicals, diseases and weather. While some scientists and industry representatives argue that more widespread use of gene editing techniques will lead to significant environmental benefits, the environmental impacts of these technologies are currently contested.51Nicholas G. Karavolias, Wilson Horner, Modesta N. Abugu, and Sarah N. Evanega. “Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture,” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, September 7, 2021. Archived November 4, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kZlE6 

Some studies show that the adoption of genetic modifications to make crops more insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant has reduced farmers’ need to spray pesticides, thereby decreasing the environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use on these crops.52Graham Brookes and Simon Barfoot. “Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996-2016: Impacts on pesticide use and carbon emissions,” GM Crops & Food. Archived April 16, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

One study suggests that while the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops has decreased the use of insecticides, it may have also increased the need for weed-killing herbicides as weeds became more resistant. According to the study, which looked at 14 years of farm-level data from across the US, farmers that used genetically modified soybean crops used 28 percent more herbicides than those that did not. The study found that while herbicide use had slightly decreased for maize farmers using genetically modified crops, the usage of herbicides by maize farmers in the industry as a whole had increased, indicating that weed-resistance overall had risen.53Caroline Newman. “Largest-Ever Study Reveals Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops,” UVATODAY, September 14, 2016. Archived October 29, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/BAPXC 

Many studies, however, conclude that there is still not enough data to assess the long-term safety or environmental impacts of genetically modified crops.54Aristidis M. Tsatsakis, Muhammad Amjad Nawaz, Demetrios Kouretas, Georgios Balias, Kai Savolainen, Victor A. Tutelyan, Kirill S. Golokhvast, Jeong Dong Lee, Seung Hwan Yang, Gyuhwa Chung. “Environmental impacts of genetically modified plants: A review,” Environmental Research, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.03.011.

There is also public concern about the safety and environmental impacts of GMOs. A 2021 survey by Ipsos found that a majority of European citizens want food products to have compulsory labelling so consumers can be aware of the presence of genetically modified ingredients.55Natasha Foote. “Report: majority of consumers want compulsory labelling on all genetically modified food,” EURACTIV, April 7, 2021. Archived August 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/doeah 

In July 2018, the European Court of Justice confirmed that gene-edited organisms created through new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) fell under the EU’s GMO regulations and therefore were not allowed to be commercialized in Europe.56Document 62016CJ0528,” EUR-Lex, July 25, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.  Archive URL: https://archive.ph/77oaC In a 2018 EURACTIV article reporting on the decision, József Máté, Corporate Communications Leader at Corteva, commented that the decision was a “bad day” for the industry and would “prohibit European consumers, producers, researchers, [and] entrepreneurs from accessing the benefits of these innovations.” According to EURACTIV, environmental groups welcomed the news, saying the court had prevented “new GMOs” from entering the European market.57Sarantis Michalopoulos. “Industry shocked by EU Court decision to put gene editing technique under GM law,” EURACTIV, July 25, 2018. Archived April 30, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Y3VBP 

A 2021 investigation by Corporate Europe Observatory looked into lobbying by agribusiness industry bodies and companies, including Corteva, to water down the regulation of new GMOs, and lower the standards for risk assessment, monitoring and labelling requirements. The investigation also detailed lobbying efforts by groups that represent agribusiness companies including Bayer, BASF and Syngenta.58Derailing EU Rules on New GMOs,” Corporate Europe Observatory, March 29, 2021. Archived October 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ES6n6 

Since 2019, Corteva has helped shape the discourse around gene editing by sponsoring a series of events and articles on EURACTIV.59EC STUDY ON NEW GENOMIC TECHNIQUES – WHAT’S NEXT?,” EURACTIV, June 22, 2021. Archived July 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Knm2P 60Neal Gutterson and Corteva Agriscience. “Tackling the next agricultural revolution together,” EURACTIV, May 29, 2019. Archived October 7, 2021. Archive URL:  https://archive.ph/t7ZJI 

During the June 2019 Corteva Open Innovation Forum, the company promoted a message from Dr. Ernst van den Ende, Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). In response to the question “Why do you think young people should be more involved in the public dialogue on plant-breeding?” van den Ende said: “What I see is that a lot of the younger people are far more open to technologies. And they can be of influence in the political debate about this technology. And I think, especially the younger students in biotech, they are far better in trying to bridge the people of the NGOs, the political parties, to make this a better world, together.” The video ends with a message from Corteva that reads: “The younger generation of plant breeders can help bring science and society together, to solve future food challenges.”61Dr Ernst van den Ende, Wageningen University, at Corteva Open Innovation Forum,” YouTube video uploaded by user Corteva Agriscience, June 14, 2019. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

On October 12, 2021, WUR published a report commissioned by CropLife Europe and CropLife International (both of which count Corteva as a member) on the impact of the EU’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies.62Our network,” CropLife Europe. Archived December 2, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/SvZU3 63Members,” CropLife International. Archived December 2, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/PfPk0 A university announcement regarding the report’s release stated that a “probable consequence” of the policies “is that the yields of agricultural crops will decline.” The announcement also stated that the decline in yield could lead to price increases, fewer European exports and “more imports of agricultural products from outside Europe.”64Green Deal probably leads to lower agricultural yields,” Wageningen University & Research, October 12, 2021. Archived October 26, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rgFyH 

The article acknowledged that “Researchers of Wageningen University & Research have calculated this in a study commissioned by CropLife Europe and CropLife International with involvement of other stakeholders in the food supply chain.”65Green Deal probably leads to lower agricultural yields,” Wageningen University & Research, October 12, 2021. Archived October 26, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rgFyH

In 2021, Corteva launched a new genetically modified soybean seed in Brazil, following approval of the product in the European Union. Reuters said the move was “likely to fuel competition on the local biotech seeds market.” The seed is the first alternative in the Brazil agricultural market to Bayer’s genetically modified soybean, which had enjoyed a virtual monopoly. 
Reuters.66Corteva Launches New Soy Seed in Brazil, Boosting GMO Competition,” AgWeb, August 24, 2021. Archived November 25, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ETpOh

Lobbying

Corteva spent between €900,000 and €999,999 on EU lobbying in 2020, according to its record in the EU Transparency Register.67Corteva Agriscience/DuPont International Operations SARL,” Lobby Facts. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/KsI0v 68Corteva Agriscience International SARL,” European Transparency Register. Archived November 25, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/h66PK

In 2019, Corteva reported spending US$1,271,000 USD on US lobbying, hiring 21 lobbyists from five different firms, as well as  engaging in in-house lobbying, according to OpenSecrets.org.69Client Profile: Corteva Agriscience,” Open Secrets. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/RsC00

In 2019 and 2020, Corteva lobbied U.S. officials on issues relating to agriculture, environmental pollution, trade, taxes, the federal budget and appropriations, the chemical industry, defense, energy and nuclear power, the food industry, homeland security, and the automotive industry. The firm lobbied at least four agencies:70”Agencies Lobbied By Corteva Agriscience, 2019,” Open Secrets. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/e87cB

One lobbying report for Corteva shows the following topics under “specific lobbying issues:” the regulation of “bioengineered foods and other biotechnology matters,” “pesticide matters”, “other renewable energy matters,” legislation related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Clean Air Act, climate change and “water quality matters.”71Lobbying Report,Corteva Inc. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/LaTtK

In 2020, iPolitics reported that lobbyist Phil Baldwin of Tactix, a public affairs and lobbying agency, was lobbying for both Corteva and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.72Charlie Pinkerton. “Lobby Wrap: Post-COVID-19 recovery top of mind,iPolitics, August 25, 2020. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/W5ntm 

Corteva actively engages in media partnerships with Brussels-based media outlets, primarily Politico Europe and EURACTIV, where it promotes and supports relevant content, organizes events and sponsors newsletters targeted towards EU policymakers and stakeholders.

Since 2019, Corteva has sponsored Politico Europe’s “Brussels Playbook” newsletter, allowing it to insert sponsored messages into newsletter content.

In one such newsletter from June 2019, a sponsored message from Corteva said that the company was a “new pure-play agriculture company using continuous innovation and new technology to transform the industry,”73Florian Eder. “POLITICO Brussels Playbook, presented by Corteva Agriscience: Macronistas flex — Bye, Theresa — Dalligate finale,” Politico Europe, June 7, 2019. Archived May 9, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LYXLV along with a link to a page on its website in which the company claimed to be “protecting and preserving the source of our food and helping our agricultural communities thrive.”74Protecting and preserving the source of our food and helping our agricultural communities thrive,” Corteva Agriscience. Archived November 20, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ODYsV 

In an October 2019 Brussels Playbook newsletter, a message from Corteva stated that the company was “committed to feeding a growing planet by using resources wisely for sustainable food production,” adding, “We support small-holding farms, develop digital farming methods, and believe in the circular economy – minimizing waste and maximizing use of resources.75”Florian Eder. “POLITICO Brussels Playbook, presented by Corteva: Finally some good news — What Donald does next — Bringing up Franco,” Politico Europe, October 24, 2019. Archived December 3, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/24ZlU 

In another sponsored message from October 2019 Corteva claimed that “farmers stand at the crossroads of climate and business. Their livelihoods continue to be impacted by increasingly severe and volatile weather conditions created by climate change. Since farmers are impacted by climate changes first, Corteva Agriscience is constantly exploring ideas that will generate a climate positive agriculture industry.”76Florian Eder. “POLITICO Brussels Playbook, presented by Corteva: Forever Brexit — Charles Michel interview — Sondland said what?,” Politico Europe, October 23, 2021. Archived October 28, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/fJphR

Ties to the Trump Administration

In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Scott Hutchins, a “pesticide guy” who had spent his career at DowDuPont, as the new head of scientific research for the Department of Agriculture. This nomination was met with criticism from the Union of Concerned Scientists, which wrote that “Dow is particularly tight with the Trump administration,” adding, “now former Dow officials and lobbyists are literally holding the reins of government.”77Karen Perry Stillerman. “At the Trump USDA, the “D” Stands for “Dow”,” Union of Concerned Scientists, August 3, 2018. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/kUlsA

In 2018, Dow lobbyist Ted McKinney, Corteva special advisor Ken Isley and lobbyist Rebekah Adcock of CropLife America, a Corteva-affiliated group, were also appointed to the Agriculture Department as under secretary for trade, head of the Foreign Agricultural Service, and advisor to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, respectively. 

According to OpenSecrets.org, Dow Chemical donated US$1 million to Trump’s inauguration committee.78Trump 2017 Inauguration Contributions,OpenSecrets.org. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/Vffz8 A subsequent New York Times article in 2019 reported how “top pesticide industry executives had regular access to senior agency officials, pressing them to reconsider the way the federal government evaluates the threat pesticides cause to endangered species.”79Eric Lipton. “Interior Nominee Intervened to Block Report on Endangered Species,” New York Times, March 26, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/dbzKx

Affiliations

Corteva is a member of CropLife International, which it describes in its 2019 sustainability report as “a global trade association of agrochemical companies representing the plant science industry.” CropLife’s seven member companies include Adama, FMC, BASF, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta and UPL

In August, 2019, Corteva joined the American Chemistry Council, a chemical industry lobby group.80Corteva Agriscience Joins American Chemistry Council (ACC),Corteva, August 6, 2019. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/rpvEU

LobbyFacts.eu writes that in 2019, Corteva was a member of the European Crop Protection Association, the European Seed Association, EuropaBio and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association.81Corteva Agriscience/DuPont International Operations SARL,” LobbyFacts. Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/KsI0v

Corteva has partnered with the non-profit Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) to develop “demon­stra­tion farm­ers as emerg­ing lead­ers in sus­tain­able farming.”82LEAF and Corteva team up to nurture emerging leaders in sustainable farming,” Linking Environment and Farming, Archived September 11, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/yfaoG LEAF is the only environmental group on the UK’s Trade and Agriculture Commission, which was set up to advise the government on maintaining “animal welfare and environmental standards” in post-Brexit trade deals.83Rachel Sherrington. “Government Appoints Lobbyists with US Agribusiness Ties to Trade and Agriculture Commission,” DeSmog,  July 15, 2020. The commission has been widely criticized for including leading figures from the pro-deregulation Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, which has been shown to offer U.S. agribusinesses “intimate” access to UK ministers.

Corteva Senior Vice President for External Affairs Dana Bolden is part of US Farmers and Ranchers in Action’s Consumer Insights for Farmers Action Network.84Our Action Networks,” US Farmers and Ranchers in Action, Archived September 18, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/m865y

Corteva was listed as a supporter of the International Food Information Council as of September 2020.85Partners and Supporters”, International Food Information Council, Archived September 1, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/GYUq4

In June 2020, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) logo was featured on a one-pager for a U.S. Department of Agriculture certification program carbon credit bill, alongside the logos of a number of agribusinesses including Bayer, Syngenta and Corteva.86Senator Braun, Senator Stabenow, Senator Graham, & Senator Whitehouse, The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020. Archived September 18, 2020. Archive URL: http://archive.today/x7Yc2

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