It also puts him over a period of dealing with people who are concerned that changing organic products makes it much harder for the United States to achieve its climatic targets. Organic products tend to produce less per hectare, so they need larger lands to grow as much crops, which in turn increase carbon emissions and threaten biodiversity because the land is more likely to become agriculture. Become.
On January 14, the Environmental Research Group published a successful letter that opposes Kennedy as HHS secretary. The letter was alerted by the Sri Lankan government’s decision in April 2021 to change the organic farming, which led to a decrease in returns, rising food prices and protesters at the presidential palace. The Sri Lanka chemical ban was encouraged by the environmental activist Vandana Shiva, which RFK had described as “champion” and “role model”.
If he is confirmed in the role of HHS, Jr. RFK will have a limited effect on agricultural policies. But he oversees the Food and Drug Administration, which enhances food regulation in the United States. “The remaining limitations of pesticides are something that he can certainly influence his rules,” says Bus. And “limiting the use of genetic modified products, or more careful monitoring of their food supply is something that can have a cold effect on agricultural production.”
The HHS secretary also oversees national health institutions, which provides and coordinate medical research in the United States. Bass says that Kennedy may try to try the agency and the FDA to investigate the pesticide and food additives used to support the petition at the time to try to change how US farms are. This may drive the FDA away from being an explicit oversight agency to most of an active organization.
His ability to perform each of these is probably limited by Brook Rollins, Trump’s choice for USDA chief, which is seen as a very standard candidate for the role. The head of the Rollins Staff is former President and CEO of the National Association of Oil Seed CPUs. RFK Jr. has constantly attacked oilseeds, and writes on X that “seed oil is one of the most unhealthy ingredients we have in foods” and followers to buy a hat with the slogan “Fry oil again You do “.
At his confirmation meeting, Rolins stated that he followed the president’s line of agriculture, and President Trump is unlikely to want to upset farmers and figures in the agricultural industry whose natural components. “I work for him. I am a cabinet member.”
There are currently signs that conservative lawmakers are warming in organic farming. “We have not historically found much interest in congressional members,” says Gordon Merrick, director of policy and senior programs at the Organic Agricultural Research Foundation, which improves organic farming research. “
Now, Meric says he holds more meetings with “very conservative” lawmakers. “Many of them have said that because of the impact of RFK and the re -growth of Make America again they are interested in hearing more information about organic.”
