Government

The Trump administration announced late last month plans to relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS), a key USDA research office, into the Office of the Secretary, which is a more political branch of the USDA. This move would also drive ERS and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) out of the nation’s capital before 2020. According to the government, the reorganization of the USDA is meant to optimize the USDA’s general operations, help save taxpayer money, and aid the USDA in finding and retaining expert staff. However, scientists and economists are worried that the move will stagnate important federal research.

The Trump administration has already planned to significantly slash funding for the ERS. Moreover, the administration claims that retaining top employees has been an issue at the ERS and NIFA, and that relocating the agencies will solve this issue. However, some researchers believe that the cuts specifically target scientific funding. While the Trump administration acknowledges that many employees at these agencies may not wish to relocate, it is unclear whether the USDA will address and fill those vacancies. Scientists also believe that the plan will debilitate ERS research projects, specifically by creating a more difficult process for Agency economists to consult with government research offices, lawmakers and policy groups.

Source: The Washington Post

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