OVERVIEW
We connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. We aim to advance our vision by engaging with policymakers, working through public policy-facing organizations, networks, and regulatory bodies, and offering our own insights and experiences through these bodies to improve public understanding around our industry.
At Bunge, we believe political advocacy is an important way to support our business interests and contribute positively to the communities where we operate. We support candidates who promote policies that align with our values and business principles, and who have strong connections to areas where we have facilities. In addition, we are members of organizations that may contribute to dialogue and political action on agricultural, food, and biofuel issues.
Bunge employees are encouraged to take part in their communities by participating in political activities, but must do so on their own time and without using Bunge’s resources. These activities must not imply support from Bunge. Furthermore, employees’ political activities or affiliations will not result in adverse employment action by Bunge, unless such activities are inconsistent with the principles and expectations outlined in our Code of Conduct or are considered unlawful.
Bunge’s political activities are conducted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Political activities are overseen at the Board level by the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee (the “Committee”) and are executed by members of Bunge’s government affairs teams. The Committee periodically reviews Bunge’s political contribution program and the Company’s position and engagement on relevant public policy and corporate governance issues and trends affecting the Company’s business.
THE BUNGE PAC
The Bunge PAC, a political action committee funded by our employees’ voluntary contributions, supports federal candidates, and officeholders. Occasionally, where permissible by law, the Bunge PAC may make contributions to state and local candidates. Contributions and expenditures made by the Bunge PAC are made in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and disclosure requirements.
The Bunge PAC is governed by a board comprised of employees from Bunge businesses and functions. The board approves all disbursements of Bunge PAC funds to candidate committees based upon prescribed criteria adopted by the PAC board. Furthermore, the Bunge PAC contributes to candidates who support polices that are in the best interest of our business and our employees and who share Bunge’s values, not based on the personal political preferences of Bunge executives or individual employees.
CORPORATE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Generally, Bunge does not use corporate funds to make contributions to state or local candidates, political parties, committees, or ballot measures where state or local laws allow such contributions. In addition, Bunge does not make payments for independent political expenditures or electioneering communications or contribute to 527 organizations. If Bunge were to make payments of this nature, it will disclose this information on this webpage.
Corporate political contributions made by the company are made to promote the interests of Bunge, without regard for the personal political views of our executives or individual employees.
ADVOCACY ISSUES
Over the years, there have been significant changes in the agribusiness, food and energy landscapes. Public policy has adapted to many of these changes in ways that directly impact our business and core interests. Bunge’s approach to political advocacy includes a focus on the issues that are most material to our business as informed by our engagement with stakeholders and advancing positions that we believe will benefit our business and the broader industry.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Agriculture policy
• Nutrition
• Trade flows
• Carbon and climate-related policy
• Biofuels and renewable feedstocks
• Infrastructure
CLIMATE LOBBYING
One of the pillars of Bunge’s sustainability strategy is to take meaningful action on climate. We achieve this by integrating carbon-focused decision-making into our strategies, operations and investments. Establishing Science Based Targets, investing in new growth areas with lower carbon attributes, and delivering on our non-deforestation commitment are examples of our overall climate risk management approach.
We believe that the agribusiness and food industry has an important role to play in finding scalable and realistic solutions to climate challenges. Our own climate goals and activities are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, and we participate in organizations that support climate action.
Bunge is a member of many organizations, and while we may not always agree with these organizations’ positions on climate, we take opportunities to advance pro-climate positions when feasible.
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Like most large companies, Bunge is a member of several trade, industry, and business associations representing the various industries in which Bunge operates. These memberships provide Bunge important resources for employees, engagement opportunities with policymakers and key stakeholders, and an ability to learn and share about non-competitive industry issues. Many, but not all, of the associations in which Bunge holds a membership, engage in government advocacy. Sometimes, the associations in which Bunge participates may advocate policy views that are contrary to the Bunge view. When these differences arise between Bunge and its respective trade associations, it is an opportunity for Bunge to learn about the views of others, voice the Bunge position, and gain a better understanding of the various viewpoints on issues impacting our industries and businesses.
The portion of dues associated with lobbying activities by our trade associations is reported in Bunge’s quarterly LD-2 lobbying disclosure filings. Below is a list of trade associations to which we contribute $25,000 or more where a portion of those contributions may be used for lobbying activities:
• National Oilseed Processors Association
• Fuels America
RESOURCES
• Bunge’s quarterly federal lobbying reports are available for review on the websites for the
Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and the
Secretary of the US Senate
• Bunge PAC’s reports filed with the Federal Election Commission are available for review on the Commission’s
website
• Bunge’s latest
sustainability report
•
Bunge’s Code of Conduct
