News

Blunt says ERS/NIFA reports not an issue

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) says most reports from the USDA ERS and NIFA will be published on time as the agencies move from Washington, DC to Kansas City. Blunt says he spoke with Ag Secretary Perdue about it, “Every report required by law has been – and, I’m assured by the Secretary – will be available at the time it’s supposed to be available.”

Blunt tells Brownfield Ag News the benefits of the move outweigh any reporting delays, “Frankly, if a report happens to slip here and there as we’re moving these jobs to a better location, I don’t think that’s nearly the problem compared to the benefit of the opportunity.”

Blunt says farmers will benefit from the location of the two USDA research agencies in the Heartland, close to eight land grant universities, “There’s always this group that thinks that everything should be decided in Washington and they’re just wrong.”

Critics, including Senate Ag Committee Ranking member Debbie Stabenow, say the move is hurting research and research grants.