General Mills Shareholders Support Pesticide Disclosure Proposal Filed by As You Sow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Spear, sspear@asyousow.org, 216-387-1609

Minneapolis, Minnesota—Sept. 26—A pesticide-related shareholder resolution filed with General Mills, by corporate responsibility group As You Sow, received a vote of support from approximately 31% of investors on Tuesday at the company’s annual general meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The resolution calls on General Mills to address pesticide use in the company’s supply chain, especially focusing on potential harm to bee and pollinator health. The resolution specifically asks General Mills to gather and disclose supplier level data on pesticide use to provide a better understanding of the impact the company’s supply chain has on pollinators.

While General Mills publicly expresses concern about the decline of bees, including launching the “Bring Back the Bees” ad campaign on its Cheerios brand cereal boxes, the company has not yet committed to eliminating the use of toxic pesticides in its own supply chain.

“Investors understand that speaking out about the threat of pollinator collapse without action to reduce harmful pesticide use is insufficient to protect the company,” said Christy Spees, environmental health program manager at As You Sow.

“Shareholders are asking the company to take informed action to protect pollinators and the future success of its global agricultural supply chain, as well as the company’s reputation, from the damage of toxic pesticides.”

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As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building and innovative legal strategies.