Thanedar Concerned Over Impact Of Govt. Staff Cuts On Food Safety And Quality Control

Photo: Michigan House Democrats

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. House Agriculture Committee member Shri Thanedar (MI-D) expressed concerns to Brownfield Ag News about the potential impact of federal employee buyouts on food security. He warned that the rapid loss of experienced USDA staff, including workers, inspectors, and quality control professionals, could undermine the agency’s ability to ensure food safety and availability.

Thanedar stated, “USDA may lose some very talented, experienced workers who really understand the process and serve as a good quality control. All of this is in danger of being lost.”

An estimated 20,000 federal employees have accepted the administration’s buyout offer, which was extended to 2.3 million federal workers asking for deferred resignations

Additionally, Thanedar pointed to President Trump’s tariffs and immigration policies as factors that will drive up food prices and strain the labor supply. “Access to workers is going to be a big issue that some farmers in Michigan are concerned about,” he said.

Representing the Detroit area, where one in four families rely on nutrition programs, Thanedar reflected on his own experience with hunger and his commitment to addressing food insecurity. “I understand why we cannot have young people, children, going to bed hungry because I did and I don’t wish that upon anybody,” he said.

Thanedar told Brownfield he would focus on maintaining funding and expanding nutrition benefits in the upcoming farm bill.