Statement of Ken Cook President, Environmental Working Group Feburary 24, 2009 "President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack have done the public a great service by nominating Kathleen Merrigan for deputy secretary of agriculture. "It is a strong signal that under the Obama administration, USDA will not be doing agribusiness as usual. "In a policy realm dominated by the endless clamor of the subsidy lobby, Kathleen has distinguished herself by hearing and responding to the concerns of those who too often have been ignored by agriculture's officialdom: small farmers, advocates for sustainable agriculture, the organic food community, conservationists, and the economically disadvantaged. "Kathleen has had a distinguished career in agriculture policy, not least of which was her prodigious work for Senator Patrick Leahy to create a national standard for organic food as part of the 1990 farm bill and over the objections of much of the agriculture establishment. She is diligent, creative, forward looking, and deeply committed to public service. "EWG wishes Kathleen all the best in this new role and looks forward to working with her at USDA." ### EWG is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that uses the power of information to protect the environment and public health.
Related News
Continue Reading
USDA conservation funding ‘guardrails’ vital for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
When Congress provided almost $20 billion in Department of Agriculture funding for climate-smart farming practices, it included legislative “guardrails” to ensure the money goes to practices that...
Clock ticking to fight foolish EPA analysis allowing toxic weedkiller paraquat
It seems like an April Fools’ Day joke – the Environmental Protection Agency is defending its analysis permitting the use of the weedkiller paraquat, despite its links to Parkinson’s disease. With...
Why does EWG release its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ each year?
With its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, released almost every year since 2004, EWG’s goal is to educate the public about pesticides on popular fruits and vegetables, so consumers can make...