American Farm Bureau Federation
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a White House report issued by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission.
“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.”
The National Sorghum Producers
(NSP) acknowledges the realities of America’s health challenges and appreciates the report’s recognition that farmers will be an integral part of solving that issue. Sorghum is a nutrient-dense, U.S.-grown grain that is part of improving American diets. However, NSP is concerned about the implications regarding crop protection tools, including some of the most studied products in the world.
“As a farmer raising my kids on the land we work every day, I support MAHA’s efforts to build healthier futures for our children,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kan. “That’s why we rely on crop protection tools that have undergone extensive scientific study and are used responsibly to protect both our farms and our families. It’s disappointing that the report casts doubt on these products despite clear scientific proof of their safety.”
“The White House’s endorsement of a report that undermines confidence in the EPA and USDA regulatory system is deeply concerning,” said NSP Past Chair Craig Meeker, a farmer from Wellington, Kan. “This kind of messaging drives fear, not facts and it plays right into the hands of trial lawyers looking to profit. It risks driving up food costs and taking away safe, effective tools that have been rigorously reviewed by both Republican and Democratic administrations for more than 50 years. We urge President Trump to include farmers in future discussions.”
NSP encourages the Commission, as it continues in its work, to focus on sound and repeatable scientific data and studies to drive its actions and stands ready to support them in this endeavor.
National Pork Producers Council
“U.S. pork producers are proud to provide a safe and nutrient-dense protein for all Americans, and we support honest efforts to continuously improve our nation’s health and prosperity. Like others in farming and agriculture, we agree that nutritious, healthy, safe, and affordable protein from meat should be widely accessible so everyone can achieve the basic needs of a balanced diet. Filling our nation’s protein gap is critical, especially for those focused on food insecurity and improving the health of our nation.
“Efforts that not only exclude agriculture’s input, but also undermine the work of farmers serving our nation, are misguided and detrimental to all who care about facts and truth. Inflammatory rhetoric and distortions, meant to galvanize attention to achieve particular ideological outcomes, are harmful and undermine the world-class safety and reliability of the American food system. We urge extreme caution and recognize this as a moment for leadership that not only fosters and maintains trust in the foods we consume but also defends farmers against unwarranted and unfounded attacks.
“Our current system of producing food at scale for a vast and growing nation has unleashed prosperity and opportunity from coast to coast, and it is built on the strength of the shrinking number of us who continue to farm. Right now, it is vital for policy makers, members of Congress, and executive branch officials to ensure that America’s food security – and farm families like mine – remain strong, vibrant, and lasting.
“We urge President Trump to support America’s farmers, who use modern practices to feed 98% of the population. We implore this administration to ensure farmers have a seat at the table when discussions and decisions impacting our livelihoods are made. On behalf of my fellow 60,000+ pork producers and our commitment to continuous improvement, we stand ready and willing to assist and partner in transparent, risk-based research to further the health of our nation.”
National Cotton Council
“Cotton producers have made significant strides in conscientious pesticide usage,” said cotton producer and NCC Chairman, Patrick Johnson. “Crop protection tools such as glyphosate are vital for the continued sustainability of family farms here in the U.S.”
Regarding the report’s comments on microplastics, Johnson added “Cotton growers produce a natural fiber that is a healthy alternative to synthetic microfibers such as polyester. It is unfortunate that the Commission focused more on products that are known to be safe rather than on hazards such as microplastics, shed from synthetic clothing, that our children breathe. We urge U.S. agencies to continue to allow sound science to guide future policy decisions, and America’s cotton industry needs a seat at the table in this effort going forward.”
CropLife America
CropLife America (CLA), the leading organization representing the U.S. pesticide industry, stands firmly behind the responsible use of pesticides as a critical tool for the farmers who grow healthy, affordable, and abundant food for Americans. CLA expressed confidence in the current pesticide regulatory framework to help ensure the safety of America’s food.
“Pesticides are thoroughly studied and highly regulated for safety,” said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CLA. “While the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report recognizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) robust and science-based decision-making, it unfairly casts doubt on the integrity of the federal review process.”
“This report will stir unjustified fear and confusion among American consumers who live in the country with the safest and most abundant food supply,” said Dunn. “We commend champions of agriculture in this administration and in Congress that have heard the voice of farmers.”
Without access to EPA-approved pesticides, significant crop losses would threaten the livelihood of family farms and lead to higher grocery prices and fewer healthy food options for families – the very opposite of what the MAHA Commission seeks to achieve.
Dr. Manojit Basu, vice president of science policy and regulatory affairs at CLA said, “Pesticides undergo more than a decade of rigorous testing and review before being approved for use by the U.S. EPA. This science-based process considers potential risk to humans, animals, and the environment, and ensures that pesticides can be safely applied when used as directed.”
Members of Congress and more than 300 farmer and agriculture organizations have engaged with the Commission to advocate for the preservation of science-based systems and credible data in their evaluations of products and practices essential to food and agriculture – including pesticides.
Individuals who want to share their perspectives with the Trump Administration and Congress can submit a letter here: https://www.farmervoicesmatter.org.
Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) is the leading national trade association representing the pesticide industry. Our members drive innovation and sustainability by discovering, producing, selling, and distributing the essential pesticide products that empower American farmers to grow the world’s food. CLA can be found on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) at @CropLifeAmerica.
National Farmers Union
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement today upon the release of the Make America Healthy Again Commission Report:
“NFU appreciates the attention the White House brings to the health and well-being of America’s children. We agree that addressing chronic disease, nutrition and environmental exposures must be grounded in sound science, transparency and a commitment to public health.
“Farmers and ranchers live, work and raise their families on the same land where they grow the safe, nutritious food that feeds our nation and the world. Policy solutions must ensure family farmers retain the tools they need to support their livelihoods and the well-being of their communities. Innovation has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, and we must be cautious not to stymie progress with one-size-fits-all restrictions.
“The report rightly highlights the threat of corporate consolidation in our food and agriculture system. As small and mid-sized farmers are pushed out, diversity in farming, local food systems and rural economies decline. Improving health outcomes must go hand-in-hand with restoring fairness and competition. We stand ready to work with the administration on meaningful solutions to this long-standing issue.
“Farmers are key partners in building a healthier food system. But meaningful progress requires that farmers have a seat at the table. Disregarding the expertise of respected regulatory bodies and leaving farmers out of the conversation undermines public trust and puts the future of American agriculture and rural economies at risk. We urge the administration to include the voices of family farmers and ranchers as they continue this work and to ensure that solutions are rooted in sound science, fairness and transparency.”
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
-“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.”
National Association of Wheat Growers
Today, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its much-anticipated Making Our Children Healthy Again Report. The contents of this report have the potential to significantly impact America’s farmers, producers and ranchers, and the public’s trust in our food system. However, it is important to note that the EPA is still the agency in charge of regulating pesticides and while the assertions made in this report do have an impact, the recommendations made in this report are not legally binding. In response, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Pat Clements issued the following statement.
“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.”
Read the full Making Our Children Healthy Again Report here.
NAWG MAHA Commission Background
On March 7, 2025, NAWG joined over 300 agriculture stakeholders in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging them to ensure that the MAHA Commission’s reports uphold and strengthen the robust science- and risk-based regulatory frameworks that currently govern crop protection tools. Additionally, on April 11, 2025, 79 members of Congress weighed in and sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging their support for a Congressional initiative led by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-4), and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA-4). The letter emphasizes the need for sound science and risk-based analysis to guide crop protection decisions within USDA, HHS, and the EPA.
National Association of Corn Growers
The Make America Healthy Again Commission today released its long-awaited report, which denigrates the safety of key pesticides used by corn growers and other farmers. In response, the National Corn Growers Association released the following statement:
“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.”
American Soybean Association
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.
Farmers represented by ASA are disturbed the MAHA report contains recommendations that are not at all grounded in science and seem to advance the agenda of food elitists and activist groups that have long sought to undermine U.S. agriculture. These developments are even more troubling after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. falsely assured members of Congress earlier in the week of the report’s release that, “there is not a single word in [the report] that should worry the American farmer.”
ASA Director Alan Meadows grows soybeans in Halls, Tennessee. As ASA’s Regulatory Committee Chairman, he understands explicitly the implications of the MAHA report and spoke to the deep concerns of he and ASA’s full farmer board: “Both farmers and members of Congress tried to warn the administration that activist groups were trying to hijack the MAHA Commission to advance their longstanding goal of harming U.S. farmers. Reading this report, it appears that is exactly what has happened.”
MAHA’s misleading report suggests glyphosate, atrazine and other pesticides essential to farmers are potential contributors to health ailments.
“Activist organizations and trial lawyers are already engaged in baseless lawfare on pesticides. By bizarrely, without reason singling out two specific pesticides, the administration has offered activists a gift on a silver platter. Those groups will be poised to use the report to advance litigation aimed at taking away these tools American farmers use safely and effectively to produce our food,” Meadows said. “It is sad—and downright unjust—that, because of this one unfounded report, those decisions likely will be made by a judge and the court of public opinion instead of the regulatory system created for these very decisions and based on years and reams of credible science and research.”
In addition to repeated safety findings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ASA notes that glyphosate was recently re-approved by the European Union for 10 years after finding it safe. These findings follow similar conclusions from regulators in Canada, Japan, the UK, Australia, South Korea, and elsewhere.
Concerningly, this report may also undermine national security. If domestic manufacturers exit the market due to increased and unfounded liability created by the report, the U.S. will be almost entirely reliant on China—which currently produces more than 80% of the world’s glyphosate—for continued supplies of this essential agricultural tool.
ASA is also disturbed the report implies seed oils are contributors to reduced human health. Significant research conducted over decades shows that plant-based oils are low in saturated fats and can improve health outcomes. For example, a March 2025 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found after following more than 220,000 individuals for more than 30 years that frequent consumption of plant-based oils led to a 16% reduction in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other ailments when compared to alternatives high in saturated fat.
“This is truly a case of saying up is down and down is up,” Meadows said. “We’re discouraging people from consuming heart-healthy oils and driving them to instead use fats that will make them less healthy and cost them more in the process. This is the exact opposite of what our government should be doing.”
A third-party economic study released in April and conducted on behalf of ASA and the United Soybean Board found that removing seed oils from the food supply could increase consumer costs for edible fats and oils by as much as 42%.
The Executive Order creating the MAHA Commission directs that a second report be issued within 80 days of this report, providing policy recommendations based on the findings of the first 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 Agricultural Retailers Association
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) expresses deep concerns regarding comments on pesticide safety in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report, which was released today. While the importance of evaluating agricultural practices is undeniable, the report’s conclusions contradict longstanding scientific research and fail to acknowledge the critical role pesticides play in ensuring food security and public health.
Pesticides are among the most heavily regulated tools in agriculture, supported by decades of rigorous scientific oversight. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) of 1947, along with its major update through the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, introduced stringent regulations, particularly emphasizing the safety of infants and children.
Further, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every pesticide undergoes extensive testing for human and environmental safety, with public and scientific scrutiny at every stage. The EPA continuously reevaluates and updates product labels as new data becomes available. As reported by EPA, “Pesticides are used to control various pests and disease carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, rats, and mice. Pesticides are used in agriculture to control weeds, insect infestations, and diseases.”
Hidden in the report is a call for consideration of “actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress.” In other words, the MAHA Report calls for the United States to abandon its gold standard regulatory system and instead embrace a hazard-based precautionary system that includes non-scientific factors, such as that in the European Union.
In short, the pesticide testing that the report calls for has already been done by regulators in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. None of them has found a causal carcinogenic link.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the significant threat pests pose to global agriculture, with annual crop losses ranging between 20 percent and 40 percent. “Without pesticides, farmers will struggle to control invasive insects and plant diseases, particularly those affecting perishable crops like fruits and vegetables,” says ARA CEO Daren Coppock. “This would result in reduced food availability, diminished quality, increased consumer costs, and heightened food safety risks.”
ARA maintains that the MAHA report’s recommendations would undermine—not enhance—America’s health and well-being. If implemented, these measures will lead to higher food costs, reduced availability, stifled innovation in agriculture, and disproportionate harm to families with limited financial resources. President Trump has repeatedly said that he has the farmers’ backs; now is his time to back that up by reining in the anti-science drivel in this report.
Pesticides are among the most heavily regulated tools in agriculture, supported by decades of rigorous scientific oversight. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) of 1947, along with its major update through the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, introduced stringent regulations, particularly emphasizing the safety of infants and children.
Further, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every pesticide undergoes extensive testing for human and environmental safety, with public and scientific scrutiny at every stage. The EPA continuously reevaluates and updates product labels as new data becomes available. As reported by EPA, “Pesticides are used to control various pests and disease carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, rats, and mice. Pesticides are used in agriculture to control weeds, insect infestations, and diseases.”
Hidden in the report is a call for consideration of “actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress.” In other words, the MAHA Report calls for the United States to abandon its gold standard regulatory system and instead embrace a hazard-based precautionary system that includes non-scientific factors, such as that in the European Union.
In short, the pesticide testing that the report calls for has already been done by regulators in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. None of them has found a causal carcinogenic link.
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the significant threat pests pose to global agriculture, with annual crop losses ranging between 20 percent and 40 percent. “ Without pesticides, farmers will struggle to control invasive insects and plant diseases, particularly those affecting perishable crops like fruits and vegetables,” says ARA CEO Daren Coppock. “This would result in reduced food availability, diminished quality, increased consumer costs, and heightened food safety risks.”
ARA maintains that the MAHA report’s recommendations would undermine—not enhance—America’s health and well-being. If implemented, these measures will lead to higher food costs, reduced availability, stifled innovation in agriculture, and disproportionate harm to families with limited financial resources. President Trump has repeatedly said that he has the farmers’ backs; now is his time to back that up by reining in the anti-science drivel in this report.
National Sorghum Producers
Today, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its Making Our Children Healthy Again report, praising farmers for their essential role in the food system while casting doubt on the safety of crop protection tools that sorghum producers and other growers rely on.
The National Sorghum Producers (NSP) acknowledges the realities of America’s health challenges and appreciates the report’s recognition that farmers will be an integral part of solving that issue. Sorghum is a nutrient-dense, U.S.-grown grain that is part of improving American diets. However, NSP is concerned about the implications regarding crop protection tools, including some of the most studied products in the world.
“As a farmer raising my kids on the land we work every day, I support MAHA’s efforts to build healthier futures for our children,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kan. “That’s why we rely on crop protection tools that have undergone extensive scientific study and are used responsibly to protect both our farms and our families. It’s disappointing that the report casts doubt on these products despite clear scientific proof of their safety.”
“The White House’s endorsement of a report that undermines confidence in the EPA and USDA regulatory system is deeply concerning,” said NSP Past Chair Craig Meeker, a farmer from Wellington, Kan. “This kind of messaging drives fear, not facts and it plays right into the hands of trial lawyers looking to profit. It risks driving up food costs and taking away safe, effective tools that have been rigorously reviewed by both Republican and Democratic administrations for more than 50 years. We urge President Trump to include farmers in future discussions.”
NSP encourages the Commission, as it continues in its work, to focus on sound and repeatable scientific data and studies to drive its actions and stands ready to support them in this endeavor.
National Pork Producers Council
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released the following statement on the ‘Make American Healthy Again’ (MAHA) Commission report.
“U.S. pork producers are proud to provide a safe and nutrient-dense protein for all Americans, and we support honest efforts to continuously improve our nation’s health and prosperity. Like others in farming and agriculture, we agree that nutritious, healthy, safe, and affordable protein from meat should be widely accessible so everyone can achieve the basic needs of a balanced diet. Filling our nation’s protein gap is critical, especially for those focused on food insecurity and improving the health of our nation.
“Efforts that not only exclude agriculture’s input, but also undermine the work of farmers serving our nation, are misguided and detrimental to all who care about facts and truth. Inflammatory rhetoric and distortions, meant to galvanize attention to achieve particular ideological outcomes, are harmful and undermine the world-class safety and reliability of the American food system. We urge extreme caution and recognize this as a moment for leadership that not only fosters and maintains trust in the foods we consume but also defends farmers against unwarranted and unfounded attacks.
“Our current system of producing food at scale for a vast and growing nation has unleashed prosperity and opportunity from coast to coast, and it is built on the strength of the shrinking number of us who continue to farm. Right now, it is vital for policy makers, members of Congress, and executive branch officials to ensure that America’s food security – and farm families like mine – remain strong, vibrant, and lasting.
“We urge President Trump to support America’s farmers, who use modern practices to feed 98% of the population. We implore this administration to ensure farmers have a seat at the table when discussions and decisions impacting our livelihoods are made. On behalf of my fellow 60,000+ pork producers and our commitment to continuous improvement, we stand ready and willing to assist and partner in transparent, risk-based research to further the health of our nation.”
