Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioner Ashley Randle expressed concerns to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins about the freeze on USDA grants, which left farmers in limbo. The exodus of USDA employees, including key staff at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has raised fears about the vulnerability of American agriculture to pests and diseases. Rollins has taken steps to combat the spread of screwworm and announced a $21 million investment to fight the disease in Mexico. While Rollins has lifted the hiring freeze on critical positions, there are concerns about the impact of the workforce reduction on disease surveillance and response efforts.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5414609/usda-aphis-agriculture-trump-federal-workers