Grainnet

Decatur, IL—Confronted with statements by Rainforest Action Network (RAN) spokespeople questioning the company’s social and environmental record, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) CEO Patricia Woertz admitted that rainforests are being destroyed in Brazil.

Although the company has recently launched a new sustainability initiative that Woertz pledged to personally champion, Woertz resisted accepting responsibility for the environmental damage, instead blaming it on weak governance and regulation by the Brazilian government.

The admission came after significant attempts to block criticism from RAN and other shareholders on the company’s poor social responsibility record.

For the second year in a row, ADM attempted to prevent RAN spokespeople from presenting information to shareholders describing the devastating social and environmental impacts that the company is causing around the world.

RAN representatives and allies were searched and harassed as they attempted to enter the meeting.

A heavy police presence outside the meeting prevented students and activists from engaging in a planned non-violent protest.

“ADM’s actions show that they are unwilling to hear any concerns that might force them to become more socially and environmentally responsible,” said Andrea Samulon, spokesperson for the Rainforest Action Network.

“If they were truly acting in a sustainable way, they wouldn’t need to use police force to block the concerns of shareholder groups.”

Among the agenda items at the meeting was a shareholder resolution presented by the New York City Common Retirement Fund calling on ADM to adopt a corporate code of conduct consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards.

When finally admitted, RAN spokespeople read statements in support of these resolutions as well as a statement from an Indonesian community, describing the impacts of ADM’s current policies, including illegal land confiscation and forced displacement.

“The company’s activities have resulted in the destruction of our villages- Pinang Tingi, Lamo Padang Salak, and Tanah Menang,” said three village heads through the written statement.

“Our homes were stolen from us without our free, prior, and informed consent.”

ADM and its Asian subsidiary the Wilmar Group have come under fire for use of coerced and slave labor, irresponsible deforestation practices and putting additional pressure on the critically endangered orangutan.

For the past year, ADM has been the target of a market campaign led by RAN pressuring the company to agree to a moratorium on clear-cutting forests for production of agrofuels or other agricultural commodities.

For more information, call 415-659-0541.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Rainforest Action Network
• ADM

more GRAIN NEWS...