Monsanto Australia

OVERALL
Owned	GER
Rating

Plant biotechnology

Monsanto Australia provides genetically engineered canola and cotton seed to farmers, along with its glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide.

Company Ownership

Monsanto Australia Ltd	AUS	website	email
Monsanto Company       owns 100% of Monsanto Australia Ltd	USA	website
Agribiotech One of world's most controversial companies, and the leading producer of genetically engineered seed and glyphosate-based herbicides. Bayer completed it's takeover of Monsanto in June 2018. Monsanto will no longer be a company name. The acquired products will retain their brand names and become part of the Bayer portfolio.
Bayer AG           owns 100% of Monsanto Company	GER	website
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturer Bayer was founded in Germany in 1863 and created aspirin in 1897. Previously part of IG Farben, a company which had deep connections to the Nazis in WWII. Completed its acquisition of Monsanto in June 2018, creating the world's largest seller of farming chemicals and seeds.

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Company Assessment

PRAISE	CRITICISM	INFORMATION
Monsanto Australia Ltd
Australian Packaging Covenant signatory Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation. [Source 2017][More on Packaging]		GM contamination - legal case In December 2010 Steve Marsh, an organic farmer from Kojonup Western Australia, had genetically modified (GM) canola seeds blown onto his property from a neighbouring farm. Approximately 70 percent of Mr Marsh's property is now contaminated. GM giant Monsanto has stated that it will support the GM famer's legal action and the Pastoralists & Graziers Association (WA) Inc has agreed to pay the respondent neighbours legal fees. Monsanto, the main company responsible for developing and promoting GMOs, has insisted on 'no-liability' agreements with participating farmers, making the company immune from persecution or liability for any 'fall out' from its products. [Source 2011][More on Genetic engineerring]
Monsanto Company
100% on Corporate Equality Index This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America. [Source 2017][More on Workers Rights]	Herbicide tolerance and GM crops This 2011 Greenpeace report criticises the widespread and increasingly intensive use of glyphosate in association with the use of GM (genetically modified) crops, saying it poses further risks to the environment and human health. Glyphosate kills all vegetation except GM crops specifically engineered to be tolerant to the powerful herbicide. Monsanto is the main company these activities. [Source 2011][More on Genetic Engineering] Top 10 Corporate Criminal of 2016 This company appeared on Global Exchange's list of "10 Top Corporate Criminals of 2016" for the development of genetically engineered wheat. [Source 2016][More on Genetic Engineering] Human rights violations This company appears on Global Exchange's list of "Most Wanted" Corporate Human Rights Violators "Alums" for promotion of monocropping, involvement in government, refusing to label product, and bankrupting small farms. [Source 2017][More on Human Rights] Millions Against Monsanto Campaign Millions Against Monsanto, a campaign sponsored by the Organic Consumers Association, targets Monsanto for abuses ranging from bullying small farmers to failing to adequately test and disclose the genetic engineering of products on supermarket shelves. [Source 2016][More on Human Rights]	Toxic herbicides Monsanto's Roundup herbicide has been linked to human birth defects, and now one of the company's signature genetically engineered crops is Roundup Ready wheat. Monsanto manufactured Agent Orange, a dangerous herbicide containing dioxin used by the US during the Vietnam War to reduce jungle foliage. Approximately 72 million litres of Agent Orange were sprayed over Vietnam, and Monsanto reached a $180 million settlement with veterans who suffered adverse health effects from handling the chemical. [Source 2009][More on Product Safety] Farmer suicides in India A recent government study found that 200,000 Indian farmers have killed themselves in the past ten years. Well-known Bollywood filmmaker Aamir Khan attributes this startling statistic to the fact that many unsuspecting farmers are convinced that genetically modified seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers from American companies like Monsanto will increase their profits. Khan is hoping to spread awareness about this disturbing trend in a new movie called Peepli Live. [Source 2010][More on Human Rights] False advertising in South Africa Monsanto busted for contempt of Advertising Authority in South Africa [Source 2007][More on Irresponsible Marketing] Previous Boycott Call In May 2007, the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), with a membership of around 80,000, announced that it is launching a nationwide boycott of Monsanto to protest a proposed a $1.5 billion merger with Delta and Pine Co. that would reduce competition and crush small farmers. '[The merger] is going to give Monsanto a lock on three major commodities,' says Dr. John W. Boyd, Jr., president and founder of the NBFA. 'They already have corn and soybeans and now they're going to have control of cotton.' [Source x][More on Governance] Corporate Hall of Shame Named in Corporate Accountability International's 2010 Corporate Hall of Shame for mass producing cancer causing chemicals, aggressively running small farms out of business, and recklessly promoting genetically engineered seeds that exacerbate food scarcity globally. ]Listed under Information due to age of report] [Source 2010][More on Governance] Land grabs in Africa This company is a partner of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmers’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage. [Source 2015][More on Finance] Green Power Partner This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA), as using renewable energy for 13% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA. [Source 2016][More on Climate Change] Climate action commitments As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: develop low carbon action plan. [Source 2017][More on Climate Change] Sustainability Consortium member This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. [Source 2015][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] About glyphosate Monsanto sells half of the world's glyphosate, the most widely used and heavily applied herbicide in history. This 2017 report by As You Sow tells the story of glyphosate - how and why it is used, what we know about it, and what we do not. It focuses on human health concerns, such as increasing dietary exposures linked to pre-harvest use of glyphosate and the mounting criticism of current U.S. pesticide regulation. [Source 2017][More on Product Safety] 51.5% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017 This company received a score of 51.5/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor. [Source 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting] Corporate Rap Sheet The Corporate Research Project's Corporate Rap Sheets are dossiers summarising the most significant crimes, violations and other questionable activities of the world's largest and most controversial companies. Follow link to see this company's Corporate Rap Sheet. "Once a controversial chemical company, Monsanto remade itself into an even more controversial agricultural biotechnology corporation that holds a dominant position in both herbicides and genetically engineered seeds. Identified more closely than any other company with the effort to introduce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the food supply, Monsanto has been the target of ongoing campaigns for more than 20 years." [Source 2018] Facing Finance profile This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details. [Source 2014] OpenSecrets.org profile OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more. [Source 2014]
Bayer AG
CDP Climate A List CDP's 2016 report "Out of the starting blocks" reveals which companies around the world are doing the most to combat climate change. This company is included on the A List. [Source 2016][More on Climate Change]	Bee-harming pesticides This 2013 report by Greenpeace, 'Bees in Decline', shows that the dramatic overall global decline in bee populations is the result of multiple factors such as diseases and parasites, climate change and wider industrial agricultural practices. Among the latter, scientific evidence highlights the deadly role of some pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids. Bayer and Syngenta are the world's largest producers of neonicotinoid based pesticides. [Source 2013][More on Habitats] Supply chain practices in China This company received a score of 2.5/100 (retrieved 14-Feb-2018) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains. [Source 2018][More on Habitats] Producing unsafe birth control pills Blood clots, stroke and other dangerous side effects associated with the use of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills are driving more than 10,000 U.S. patients to file lawsuits against Bayer Pharmaceuticals. In October 2012, Reuters reported that Bayer has settled 3,490 Yaz cases for $750 million. A similar number of cases have yet to be settled. [Source 2013][More on Product Safety] Human rights violations This company appeared on Global Exchange's 2014 list of "Most Wanted" Corporate Criminals for manufacturing and using bee-killing pesticides, pinning the bee crisis on other causes, exposing farmers to harmful pesticides, and working to monopolize drug prices. [Source 2017][More on Human Rights] Animal Testing This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they either test on animals or pay a laboratory to conduct tests on animals. [Source 2018][More on Animal Testing] 41.1% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017 This company received a score of 41.1/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor. [Source 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting]	Genetic Engineering Bayer has been criticised for its commercial production of genetically modified crops. [Listed under Information due to age of report] [Source 2004][More on Genetic Engineering] Hazardous chemicals in pesticides Of the world's big pesticide makers, Bayer's pesticides pose the biggest threat to human health and the environment, according to the Greenpeace Germany report 'The dirty portfolios of the pesticides industry' [Listed under Information due to age of report] [Source 2008][More on Habitats] GC3 member (Green Chemistry) This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products. [Source 2014][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Sustainability Consortium member This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. [Source 2015][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] UN Global Compact participant The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values. [Source x][More on Sustainability Reporting] Access to Medicine This company received the twelfth highest score in the Access to Medicine Index 2016, a ranking of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to increase access to medicine in developing countries. [Source 2016][More on Human Rights] Coalition Against Bayer Dangers This website contains details about Bayer's tainted history including connections to the Nazis in WWII and the production of bee-killing pesticides. [Source]

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Bayer-Monsanto mega-merger
11th Jun 2018 — After two years of negotiations, Bayer has become the sole shareholder of Monsanto. The Monsanto company name will cease to exist. Over the past few years, Bayer has slowly distanced itself from the polymer business and concentrated on pharmaceutics and agriculture. The latter doubled in size after the Monsanto acquisition, becoming as large as the company’s pharma section. With the approval of the Bayer-Monsanto merger, only three companies will be in control of nearly 60 per cent of the world’s seeds and nearly 70 per cent of the agrochemicals and pesticides.   [source]

Monsanto's Shareholders vote against labeling GM foods
29th Jan 2014 — As more than 20 states consider mandatory labeling of genetically modified food, shareholders at Monsanto's (MON) annual meeting on Tuesday voted against proposals to label and assess the costs of GMOs. Monsanto's board opposed both measures, which came from two separate shareholders with fewer than 100 shares each. For what it's worth to GMO critics, the decisions weren't unanimous even among stakeholders in a major GMO company. One resolution, which sought a report on the cost of GMO contamination affecting non-GMO and organic crops, received 6.51 percent of shareholder votes, while another asking the company to work with regulators on GMO labeling guidelines received 4.16 percent of the vote, according to a Reuters report.  [source]