"USDA Unions Warn That Trump Administration Cuts Could Compromise Food Safety and Research Efforts"

Unions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have raised serious concerns about political interference shrinking the agency. More than 15,000 USDA employees have either left or been let go, creating a shortage of expertise. This comes at a critical time when bird flu is spreading, and local offices that support farmers are losing valuable staff.

President Trump’s budget proposal suggests cutting $4.5 billion from the USDA, which includes vital research and conservation programs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins believes these cuts will improve efficiency. However, a group representing USDA staff warns that these changes threaten decades of work that ensure food safety and security. They say a lack of Congressional oversight could dismantle important knowledge and infrastructure.

Since these changes, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has seen 98 out of 167 food safety scientists resign. Their work is crucial for detecting pathogens and preventing foodborne illnesses. Meanwhile, researchers face restrictions that hinder their ability to travel to conferences, further impacting their work on climate challenges and nutrition programs.

Ethan Roberts, a technician at an ARS lab in Illinois, shared that scientists are in the dark about what they can publicly discuss. “You only learn what’s allowed by risking punishment,” he noted. This uncertainty adds stress to an already strained environment.

According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, cutting research funding can slow progress in agricultural innovation, potentially harming food security.

Staff unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union, are pushing back against these policies. They argue that the future of food safety and resource management hangs in the balance.

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National news, Politics

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