Mcdonalds, the biggest potato purchaser in the US, has agreed to monitor and employ best practices to reduce pesticide use across the US supply chain.

The company's new commitment is a response to shareholder concerns about pesticide use associated with harmful effects on the environment, public health, and farm employees

As a result of the agreement shareholder resolutions will be withdrawn by Bard College Endowment, Newground Social Investment, and the AFL-CIO Reserve Fund.

According to these funds, the terms of the agreement are that:

"McDonald's has committed to: (1) survey its current U.S. potato suppliers; (2) compile a list of best practices in pesticide reduction that will be recommended to the company's global suppliers (through the company's Global Potato Board); and (3) communicate findings related to best practices to shareholders, and in the company's annual corporate social responsibility (CSR: 4.05, 0.19, 4.92%) report."