Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 1/30/18

The Food Policy Action Education Fund released a report on Monday criticizing regulatory changes carried out by the Trump administration in the last year. The organization's first annual report, titled "State of the Plate," outlines 22 actions that the organization says hurt the U.S. food system.

The assertions: The report contends that access to "safe and healthy food is under attack," while progress in fisheries management and protections for clean water are being unraveled. The report also said that standards governing fair market competition for farmers and ag workers' rights had been weakened. 

The report cites many USDA decisions, including giving schools leeway on nutrition standards in the National School Lunch Program and withdrawing rules intended to balance power between contract livestock farmers and meatpacking companies.

FDA's decision to delay by 18 months the compliance date for the updated Nutrition Facts panel (see second item above) also made the list. At EPA, the report cites the reversal of a planned ban on the pesticide chlorpyrifos, which research suggests may cause developmental delays in children who are exposed to it.

The Trump administration's agenda on issues like trade and immigration is working against sustainable farming practices, said Ricardo Salvador, director of the food and environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In order to be successful, farmers need fair markets, economic incentives, an adequate labor pool and a set of policies and business practices to back them up, he said. He contends that the administration's moves promote monopolies, which will raise prices, reduce choices for farmers, and worsen working conditions on farms.

USDA, FDA and EPA media representatives did not return requests for comment.