The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has endorsed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ announcement of a USDA reorganization that it says strengthens the department’s ability to serve farmers and safeguard the nation’s food supply.
“Secretary Rollins has demonstrated clear-eyed leadership and a deep understanding of what America’s agricultural communities need from USDA,” says Ken Melban, CAC president. “By reinforcing the department’s focus on essential services such as plant health, food safety and inspection integrity, she is helping restore confidence among growers and consumers alike. We’re grateful for her commitment to public service and to the long-term health of American agriculture.”
CAC says the reorganization reduces administrative redundancy, relocates key USDA operations to five regional hubs and preserves all critical functions related to public health and agricultural security. Rollins emphasized the need to bring the USDA “closer to its customers” while maintaining uninterrupted support for high-priority roles across wildfire prevention, food safety and plant protection.
More than 50 job classifications have been exempted from hiring freezes, including those related to the inspection and safety of the nation’s food supply, according to a news release. The department confirmed that all essential services will remain active during and after the transition.
CAC says a continued focus on inspection reliability, both at home and in key trading partner nations, will be vital to maintaining crop security, consumer confidence and international market access.
The commission also expressed its readiness to support USDA’s implementation efforts and to work in partnership with the department and other stakeholders to advance sound, science-based agricultural policy.
