Ag Leaders Express Concern Over National Health Report
After Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy recently announced a report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a few leading agriculture groups in Montana expressed their concern. The report suggests that environmental chemical have a potential impact to children’s chronic disease. The chemicals include pesticides used in the ag industry.
“Farmers are identified as ‘critical partners,’ yet were excluded from development of the report, despite many requests for a seat at the table,” Cyndi Johnson, president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, said in a press release. “The report acknowledges a mountain of evidence about the safety of our food system and rigorous regulatory process yet is contradictory in that it spotlights outlier studies and presents unproven theories that feed a false narrative.”
Johnson added, “Even when we are farming, whether it’s spraying crops to kill harmful pests and invasive weeds or putting the plow to the earth, we live here. I can assure you that farmers are dedicated to using sound science and technological advances to continue to keep food supplies safe.
She continued, “Any proposed changes, whether to farming practices or in our food production system must be carefully considered,” Johnson said. “Limiting food options, such as shelf-stable foods, threatens to put the nutritional needs of many families out of reach. We will be studying the report in more detail. If we need the support of our Congressional delegation, we will reach out to them. We look forward to proving to the administration and consumers that our farmers really produce extremely safe and affordable food.”
National Farmers Union president Rob Larew released the following statement, “Farmers and ranchers live, work and raise their families on the same land where they grow the safe, nutritious food that feeds our nation and the world. Policy solutions must ensure family farmers retain the tools they need to support their livelihoods and the well-being of their communities. Innovation has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, and we must be cautious not to stymie progress with one-size-fits-all restrictions.” Larew added, “Farmers are key partners in building a healthier food system. But meaningful progress requires that farmers have a seat at the table. Disregarding the expertise of respected regulatory bodies and leaving farmers out of the conversation undermines public trust and puts the future of American agriculture and rural economies at risk. We urge the administration to include the voices of family farmers and ranchers as they continue this work and to ensure that solutions are rooted in sound science, fairness and transparency.”
