House Democrats have introduced legislation to prevent the relocation of USDA’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to outside the Washington D.C. metro area. Iowa Farmers Union members back the legislation. President Aaron Lehman says those offices need to stay in the nation’s capital so the most important information can get to the departments that can deliver it in the best way.
He says the plan to move those offices was put forward by Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, but has not been well thought out or included enough input.
Lehman agrees with bill co-sponsor Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop who says abruptly relocating these agencies and politicizing their leadership will disrupt the important work they’re doing. It could also cause an unnecessary loss of valuable expertise through possible staffing losses.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue proposed the changes based on the idea they would create efficiency, be less expensive and closer to the nation’s farmers and ranchers.
