Food Safety Advocates Denounce Confirmation of Sonny Perdue to Lead USDA

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter 

Washington, D.C.—“The Senate has confirmed former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture. While agribusiness corporations are no doubt celebrating his confirmation, the public, workers and independent farmers have less to cheer about. 

“As Governor, Perdue signed a law that blocks local governments from regulating crop production or animal husbandry, raising concerns that as Secretary of Agriculture he could gut regulations that protect independent farmers, workers and consumers. Under Perdue, USDA may roll back pending fair farm rules that would help level the playing field for livestock producers. But let’s be clear: Food & Water Watch will work to block any effort to lessen regulation of the meat industry, including any attempts to privatize meat inspection. 

“Like Trump’s other cabinet appointments, Perdue has serious conflicts of interest, most recently through his role as the head of a global food trade company. With Perdue as serving as Secretary of Agriculture we will have to fight to make sure that agribusiness is not allowed to prioritize profits above food safety, farmer livelihoods, worker safety or the environment.”

Contact: Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch, (202) 683-4905, [email protected]