MAHA Commission Report Undermines Confidence in Food System
TOPICS
PesticidesSam Kieffer
Vice President, Public Policy
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
photo credit: AFBF Photo, Betty Resnick
Sam Kieffer
Vice President, Public Policy
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
The Make America Healthy Again Commission released its first report this week. As Chad Smith tells us, the report contains some troubling assertions.
Smith: A new report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, appointed by the White House, is causing concern among farmers and ranchers. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the report covers several key issues relevant to agriculture.
Kieffer: There's four sections of the report that talk about processed foods, chemicals in the environment, childhood behavior, and medication. But throughout the report, there are positive things said about farmers, but some concerning comments made about the tools farmers use.
Smith: Kieffer said the report is often contradictory, criticizing farming practices while claiming farmers are ‘partners’.
Kieffer: And then attempts to celebrate the farmers and the critical role that farmers play in producing safe food, not only for the U.S. and the world, which they acknowledge in the report. The report identifies farmers as critical partners, but yet, despite several requests to be included in the development of the report, farmers were not invited.
Smith: Kieffer says farmers and ranchers are committed to improving the health outcomes of Americans.
Kieffer: We're dedicated to continuous improvement. That's how American agriculture is as efficient, productive and safe as it is today, because we're grounded by sound science and technological advances. We've got the greatest, most abundant and safest food system.
Smith: For more information, go to fb.org/news. Chad Smith, Washington.
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