State agriculture departments play a critical role in safeguarding the nation’s food supply, detecting and preventing the spread of animal diseases, and supporting small and medium-sized producers. These responsibilities are carried out through federal-state cooperative agreements designed to share responsibility and resources.
States are confronting impossible challenges as increasing funding gaps leave them without federal support to fulfill their statutory responsibilities. Without immediate congressional action to address critical funding shortfalls, the programs that safeguard our food supply against foodborne illnesses and devastating animal diseases will be severely jeopardized, leaving public health, consumer confidence, and the stability of our agricultural economy at significant risk.
State agriculture departments are collectively calling on Congress to immediately address the draconian budget cuts states are facing from federal agencies for three critical cooperative agreements, including FDA's State and Local Food Safety Regulatory Programs, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services, and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
FDA Food Safety
FDA proposed 30% budget cuts to State and Local Food Safety Regulatory Programs in FY25, threatening public health and food safety infrastructure nationwide. Once the 30% reductions take effect and jobs are lost, these programs may not recover for years, jeopardizing food safety infrastructure and public health. State and local agencies conduct most inspections on behalf of the FDA. State labs and response teams are also essential during outbreaks and recalls.
In New York, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, led by Commissioner Richard Ball, key programs like the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program, covering over 5,800 establishments; the Produce Safety Inspections Program, conducting approximately 150 inspections annually; and the Milk and Shellfish Cooperative Agreement, vital for training and lab resources for the Grade “A” milk program, will all be drastically reduced all face substantial jeopardy if Congress does not act.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
State meat and poultry inspection programs, which are voluntary for states, are essential to U.S. food safety. By law, slaughter facilities cannot operate without an inspector present. Reduced FSIS funding to state agencies has strained these programs, threatening facility closures, public health, and producer efficiency.
Without a full 50/50 cost share, states may be forced to opt out entirely. If that happens, the federal government will not only need to cover 100% of the costs but also hire additional staff to cover demand. Make no mistake, if states are forced to opt out of inspections, this would immediately disrupt supply chains, particularly for small producers.
States are already feeling the consequences of current funding shortfalls. Unexpected cuts have made it difficult for states to keep up with inspection demand, as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of small and medium establishments.
For example, growing demand from local processors in Kansas has driven the need for additional staff and higher salaries to address hiring and retention issues. Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate is grappling with real and negative impacts on Alabama producers and risks becoming far worse without action from Congress. Similarly, Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur faces a shortfall straining the department’s capacity to meet the growing needs of local producers and processors.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
State agriculture departments and animal health officials are critical partners in safeguarding animal health through cooperative agreements administered by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. State agencies play a vital role in the early detection, prevention, and management of foreign animal disease threats such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot and mouth disease.
In addition to concerns about animal disease, state cooperative agreements with USDA APHIS also support plant protection activities, including efforts to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species.
Without congressional action, the risks to plant and animal health will skyrocket. For example, in Minnesota, the agriculture department, led by Commissioner Thom Petersen, faces a debilitating cut for spongy moth management as the pest advances into the state. Additionally, cuts to invasive species monitoring, which has seen flat funding for 20 years, limit the state’s ability to detect and manage new threats.
NASDA urges Congress to act with urgency and bipartisanship to fully fund these three cooperative agreements in FY25. Without proper funding to federal agencies for cooperative agreement funding, disruptions in food production, weakened public health protections and economic harm will intensify. Food security is national security. Congress must act now to protect our food supply, rural economies, and the health of our nation.
Ted McKinney is the CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
