Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s moves to name Anne Hazlett as his assistant on rural development and to reorganize USDA is receiving criticisms. National Farmers Union Officials have concerns with the Ag Departments reorganization but not with Hazlett’s appointment. Matt Perdue is government relations representative for NFU.

He says their major concern with the removal of the Rural Development Under Secretary has to do with the loss of accountability.

Perdue says his group wants the Rural Development Under Secretary position put back in even though that would mean 8 Under Secretary’s at USDA.

Perdue says NFU is already visiting with Senators and their staff members about their concerns.