lobbying activities of chemical industry

[Patricia Dines <73652.1202@CompuServe.COM>]

<<I am studying the Responsible Care initiative and other "voluntary"
corporate initiatives to improve environmental management in the chemical
industry.  I am looking for information about the environmental lobbying
activities of the chemical industry, which some would say conflict with the
espoused goals of Responsible Care.  I am looking for references I can cite
in a review article I am writing -- newspaper articles, articles from
chemical week, or a more general discussion -- that describe the
legislation the industry has supported in recent years.  Can anyone help?
Thanks.>>

I have a couple of leads that could perhaps help.

1) Have you called Public Citizen?  This seems like the kind of info they'd
track.  Sierra Club might also have information on this, in the lobbying arm, as
well as GreenPeace.

2) I'm separately sending you
- a PAN press release discussing NRDC information about how pesticide use is up,
at an all-time high, despite "the assertion by the pesticide industry that it
has adopted "stewardship" and "integrated pest management" programs that result
in smarter and lower pesticide use.
- I'm separately sending you a file with resource leads from Rachel's
newsletter; a file with a list of Rachel's issues that focus on corporations;
and one issue (433) with some good details that might interest you.
- a GreenPeace document on Dow's claims and activities (5/9/96)
- A piece with a chemical industry exec saying chemical industry needs to talk
with one voice.
- A positive piece on Responsible Care, focussing on a talk from a Bayer exec,
the experiences in Germany, which includes positive results it's had and the way
he pitches it to the companies (might as well give them credit for what they
might do right, and know the arguments he uses for doing more).

3) Also, you might get help from this lead (mentioned in PAN's newsletter):
*Multinationals Resource Center.* The Multinationals Resource 
Center is an information clearinghouse that provides 
information on multinational activities to activists, 
journalists, academics and others. Information available 
includes records of companies' corporate citizenship; the 
structure, size and ownership of many companies; health and 
environmental problems associated with products or production 
processes; and helpful NGO contacts. The Resource Center 
responds to requests on a case-by-case basis, and does not 
charge for its services. Multinationals Resource Center, PO 
Box 19405, Washington, DC 20005; phone (202) 387-8030; fax 
(202) 234-5176; email mrc@essential.org.  

4) Also, there's a more general article in "E" magazine's Sept/Oct issue, "Dirty
Money: Big Bucks Fuel an Anti-Green Congress" but it might have some information
that could help you.  They also have a small piece on p.22 "Wild Profits: How
Multinational corps are restoring habitat and saving money" which talks about
the positives they find in doing this, certification process, get good PR.
(Wildlife Habitat Council program (301) 588-8994.) ("E" is on newstands or you
can reach them at http://www.emagazine.com, (203) 854-5559.)  "E" also likely
has great information past issues - you might see what they have on their web
site or ask them.

>> I have lots of other related information on this subject, but I don't want to
overwhelm you!  (Hopefully I haven't already - this is one of the subjects I
track, and once I get started....)  I hope there's stuff in here that's of use
to you!

>> I'd be most interested in whatever final piece you come up with, if you were
to be so kind to send or email me a copy.

Patricia Dines

P.S.  In case you're wondering, I'm a writer too, as well as being a passionate
activist.  I'm also looking to develop a research business or some way to get at
least some money to come in to cover the cost of gathering and disseminating all
this info - this work just has to be done, but we still needs to pay the rent!
At this point, I just offer this information to whoever can use it; but if the
information helps you and you make money from it (or you get paid for this
work), I wouldn't be averse to a donation or finder's fee or something, even
just some symbolic amount, because this does a lot of time and effort to gather,
maintain, organize, and disseminate!  Also, any leads for appropriate
work/contract possibilities would also be very appreciated....!