Just in case you care about having safe food:
The recent workforce reductions at the USDA, driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, have led to the termination of approximately 6,000 employees. This has significantly impacted specialized programs, such as the National Dog Detection Training Center and the Plant Protection and Quarantine program, which are essential for detecting invasive species and inspecting food imports. The loss of these skilled workers raises concerns about increased grocery prices, food waste, and the spread of invasive pests. Major ports like Los Angeles and Miami have experienced substantial reductions in inspection staff, exacerbating existing supply chain issues. Legal efforts are underway to reinstate the terminated employees, with the USDA pausing further terminations for 45 days to develop a return-to-duty plan. These disruptions highlight vulnerabilities in national food security and the potential economic consequences of uninspected imports.
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