The chairmen of the House and Senate Agriculture committees said they are “troubled” by Thursday's Make America Healthy Again Commission report because of its potential consequences for farmers.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., issued a joint statement Friday on the report. The commission is led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and other members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet also sit on the panel.
The report did not issue any definitive policy recommendations but attempted to identify potential drivers of chronic diseases in children. The commission is expected to develop and release a federal strategy for addressing these causes and overall children’s health later this year.
One section of the report focused on the health impacts of exposure to chemical contaminants, including pesticides. It specifically mentions studies that found adverse health effects tied to glyphosate and atrazine, but said more independent studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.
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“As we engage in this important dialogue, we must move forward in a manner that avoids undermining the very systems that allow American farmers to produce the safest, most abundant, and affordable food in the world,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is imperative that we do not stray from the risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress. The commission’s success will center upon course-correcting to prioritize sound science, peer-reviewed research, and the buy-in of the agricultural community.”
Their statement echoes concerns by farm groups that the report will cause consumer confusion and doubt over products they argue are rigorously tested and safe.
Members of the commission and some language in the report did try to assure farmers that their work is valued, and that none of the report’s contents would hurt their business. However, ag groups were not entirely sold.
Ahead of the report’s release, farm groups expressed concern about what they said was a lack of transparency in the commission’s work. Some said they had made requests to meet directly with the Department of Health and Human Services, but those were denied.
Members of Congress were also unaware of the details of the report ahead of its release, with some suggesting there should be more congressional oversight.
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