Feb. 14, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture* (USDA) has given corn growers the green light to plant Swiss-based Syngenta's genetically modified corn seeds (corn amylase Event 3272) for the 2011 spring season. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the announcement is a boon to midwest growers, but the product is under fire regarding concerns for crop contamination. The seeds will be sold under the "Enogen" brand.
Below is a breakdown of the $660,230 in contributions dating back to 2001 from Syngenta and its employees to members of the 109th-112th Congresses. A MAPLight.org analysis of data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that two high-ranking officials on the House Agriculture Committee also top Syngenta's donor list. The committee's ranking Democrat Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) has taken in $19,500 in contributions, while committee Vice-Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has taken in $19,000. Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) sits amongst the top ten with $11,000 in contributions. The House Agriculture Committee is tasked with oversight of the Department of Agriculture. Contribution figures date from Jan. 1, 2001-Nov 22, 2010
Top 10 Lawmakers Receiving Campaign Contributions From Syngenta
| Recipient | Party | District | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collin Peterson | Democrat | MN House 7 | $19,500 |
| Robert Goodlatte |
Republican |
VA House 6 |
$19,000 |
| Saxby Chambliss | Republican | GA Senate | $16,000 |
| Michael Castle | Republican | DE House At-large |
$15,500 |
| Blanche Lincoln | Democrat | AR Senate | $13,000 |
| Max Baucus | Democrat | MT Senate | $13,000 |
| Thomas Latham | Republican | IA House 4 | $13,000 |
| John Boehner | Republican | OH House 8 | $12,000 |
| Adrian Smith | Republican | NE House 3 | $11,000 |
| Frank Lucas | Republican | OK House 3 | $11,000 |
Top 10 Total Contributions to Lawmakers by State From Syngenta
| State |
Total |
| North Carolina |
$60,600 |
| Texas | $47,000 |
| Iowa | $38,000 |
| Illinois | $35,050 |
| Minnesota |
$34,100 |
| Georgia | $33,500 |
| Missouri | $29,750 |
| Virginia | $24,000 |
| Ohio | $23,500 |
| California | $22,000 |
Monetary and non-monetary contributions to candidate campaign committees of legislators serving in the 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th Congresses for election cycles 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010. Contributions data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics.
*Correction: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the agency that approved corn amylase Event 3272.
