FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ja-Rei Wang, Union of Concerned Scientists, jwang@ucsusa.org
Farm, Union and Science Groups Urge Congress to Stand Strong Against USDA Relocation
Statement by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Statistical Association (ASA), National Farmers Union (NFU), National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
WASHINGTON (October 21, 2019)—At a hearing last week, USDA REE Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins repeatedly deflected questions about the consequences of the relocation of the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food & Agriculture. A staggering 75 percent of staff have left the two agencies to date, delaying dozens of critical reports including those on the opioid epidemic, veterans’ diets, and international trade markets. The disruptions have also prevented research dollars from reaching the nation’s premier research institutions.
Below is a statement by AFGE, ASA, NFU, NSAC and UCS:
“The harm done to American farmers, rural America, and the agricultural economy at the hands of USDA is deeply troubling, but not irreversible. Many House and Senate appropriators have for months stood in strong, unified, and outright opposition to the relocation. We stand firmly with that position in support of farmers, consumers, and science-based agriculture research made possible by the hard-working employees at ERS and NIFA. All individuals and organizations who rely on agricultural research and economics—and support good government—should join us.”
moving these USDA agencies out of DC is one of trump’s more stupid ideas!
This administration has been harming family farmers from its beginning. Attempting to relocate ERS and NIFA, is another nail in the coffin for American farmers. Please do not relocate these two groups.
The harm to American farmers, rural America, and the agricultural economy by the USDA is quite troubling. Fortunately, many House and Senate appropriators have for months have opposed to the relocation. We stand firmly with those appropriators in support of farmers and science-based agriculture research made possible by the hard-working employees at ERS and NIFA.
This proposal is the outrageous intentional destruction of one our most valued and needed resources. This should not be something determined for political reasons. Prove why this is beneficial for public health and safety, for the public good. You can’t.