USDA’s New Agriculture Innovation Agenda is a Swing and a Miss

Washington DC—  Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Sonny Perdue announced a new “Agriculture Innovation Agenda” today as a proposed solution for farmers, consumers, and the environment. The announcement was part of USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum being held today and tomorrow in Arlington, Virginia.

In response, Food & Water Action Factory Farming Organizer, Rebecca Wolf issued the following statement:

“It’s true that we need bold and transformative change when it comes to agriculture’s impact on climate change and dirty emissions, but this plan supports corporate business-as-usual, not the kind of change we need. 

“Capturing biogas, which is included in the “Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas” portion of the new Agriculture Innovation Agenda, is a pathway to more dirty energy expansion. Instead, USDA should be focusing on transitioning farmers to a system that is good for farmers, eaters, and the environment, not Big Ag. 

“There’s a reason large agribusinesses are on board with biogas - it’s a sneaky way for them to keep producing dirty energy and keep operating massive factory farms that destroy surrounding communities. 

“Instead of mandating emission reductions and pursuing truly renewable innovations, USDA is giving a nod to factory farm greenwashing and letting them off the hook at the expense of farmers and the environment.”

Contact: Jackie Filson, [email protected], 202-683-2538