“Deeply troubling” and “misguided” are among the words that U.S. ag organizations are using to describe the newly-released report from the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission. It calls on federal agencies to execute sweeping studies on pesticides widely used in agriculture, as well as the effects of ultra-processed foods.
The MAHA Commission is Chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
While the 69-page report does not have the force of a law or official policy, it will be used over the next 100 days for the MAHA Commission to put together a plan that can be implemented under President Trump.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who is also part of the MAHA Commission, released the following statement following the report:
“We must do more to improve the health outcomes of our kids and families, and President Trump knows agriculture is at the heart of the solution. America’s farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to the noble cause of feeding their country and the world, and in doing so have created the safest and most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce. I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Kennedy and other members of the MAHA Commission to improve our nation’s health.”
Many of the nation’s leading agricultural organizations have issued the following statements after the release of the MAHA Commission’s report.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA):
“The Make America Healthy Again Report is filled with fear-based rather than science-based information about pesticides. We are deeply troubled that claims of this magnitude are being made without any scientific basis or regard for a long history of EPA expert evaluations of these products.
“Decades of extensive research and testing show that pesticides, including atrazine and glyphosate, can be applied safely for their intended uses. If the administration’s goal is to bring more efficiency to government, then why is the secretary of Health and Human Services duplicating efforts by raising questions about pesticides that have been answered repeatedly through research and reviews by federal regulatory bodies?
“We call on the administration to respect the existing body of science on pesticides and, moving forward, to include America’s farmers in discussion as this process evolves.”
The American Soybean Association (ASA):
“The American Soybean Association strongly rebukes the May 22 Make America Healthy Again Commission report for being brazenly unscientific and damaging to consumer confidence in America’s safe, reliable food system. Should the administration act on the report—which was drafted entirely behind closed doors— it will harm U.S. farmers, increase food costs for consumers, and worsen health outcomes for all Americans. ASA calls on President Trump, who has long been a friend of farmers, to step in and correct the Commission’s deeply misguided report.
U.S. soybean farmers call on President Trump to intervene and correct the glaring misinformation and anti-farmer findings in this first report. Further, farmers implore the president to create a process for public input for any follow-up reports to ensure activists cannot again use a closed-door process to harm American farmers and consumers.”
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC):
“The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives acknowledges today’s MAHA Commission assessment of how to ensure health among American children.
“We have serious concerns over the assessment’s allegations about pesticides. The report includes statements that do not reflect the wealth of evidence developed over decades by federal agencies such as the EPA and USDA on the safety of crop inputs and food production methods. These institutions have consistently reaffirmed the safety and efficacy of the systems that help feed our country and the world.
“We note that the report acknowledges in many areas the vital role that farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses play in ensuring a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply. In particular, we appreciate the focus on the importance of fruits and vegetables and dairy products as nutritious foods that promote good health. As the commission continues its work, however, we urge them to recognize that many forms of fruit and vegetables, including frozen, dried, and canned, confer the same benefits.
“As this process moves forward, we hope future discussions will be more transparent, balanced, and inclusive of the full scope of facts and perspectives that define American agriculture.”
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall:
“It is deeply troubling for the White House to endorse a report that sows seeds of doubt and fear about our food system and farming practices, then attempts to celebrate farmers and the critical role they play in producing the safest food supply in the world.
“Farmers are identified as ‘critical partners,’ yet were excluded from development of the report, despite many requests for a seat at the table. The report also expresses a desire to ensure farmers continue to thrive, but undermining confidence in our food system directly contradicts that noble goal. The report spotlights outlier studies and presents unproven theories that feed a false narrative and only then does it acknowledge a mountain of evidence about the safety of our food system.
“We suspect USDA had a prominent role in the report’s recognition that farmers are the critical first step in the food system, but as a whole, the report falls short. The American people were promised transparency yet presented with a report developed in secret.
“As a farmer myself, I can confidently say that farmers and ranchers share the goal of improving health outcomes in America. They’re dedicated to continuous improvement, guided by sound science and technological advances.
“We are carefully examining the nearly 70 pages of contradictory assertions and look forward to further discussions with administration officials. President Trump has voiced his trust in farmers many times and we urge him to ensure a transparent process going forward with farmers at the table and sound science – not emotionally charged rhetoric – guiding the conversation.”
National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Pat Clements:
“NAWG is deeply concerned with the content and implications of the MAHA Commission’s report. Throughout the process, NAWG and other agricultural stakeholders have worked in good faith to provide the commission with accurate, science-based information about modern food production practices in the United States. Wheat growers are proud stewards of the land and are committed to producing safe, healthy food for families here at home and around the world. Unfortunately, the report contains misleading claims that could undermine public trust in our nation’s food system.
“We urge the Trump administration to ensure that the MAHA Commission’s future work is guided by sound science and peer-reviewed research. American consumers deserve facts—not fear—when it comes to how their food is grown and produced.”
