Food and Agribusiness Lobbying Expenses [5]
According to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, lobbyist disclosure filings in Congress reported lobbying expenses by food and agribusiness companies and trade associations and producer groups totaled $137,853,745 in 2012, up from $131,031,173 reported in 2011. Monsanto was the leading spender in agribusiness lobbying with more than $5.9 million in 2012. The American Farm Bureau Federation reported lobbying expenses of almost $5.7 million last year among farm groups. The AFBF Washington lobby spent nearly $2.5 million with the remaining $3.2 million for 13 additional state Farm Bureau affiliates including Oregon. AFBF expense reports cover activities and salaries of 23 registered lobbyists.
In comparison, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent over $136 billion in 2012 and General Electric spent $21.1 billion in lobbying efforts.