Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 1/10/12


USDA Secy. Tom Vilsack today repeated the agency’s message that the closing of 259 field offices as part of a plan to save $150 million a year will not affect food safety, even as additional budget cuts may loom in 2013.

In a conference call with the media, Vilsack stressed that the moves are a direct response to federal budget cuts of $3 billion between 2010 and 2012. He added that this round of administrative cuts will only affect the agency’s operational budget, not the overall program budget, which ultimately might be affected in fiscal year 2013.

“We didn’t want to disrupt the service to the people we work for and all of the work will continue to be done,” he said. “Food safety inspectors will still do the work they do to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply.”

Vilsack added that the cuts — which include consolidating 131 Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in 32 states — on the administrative side of the agency’s operations and that 7,000 workers have already accepted early retirement or separation packages with more to come. “Additionally, not all of these positions will be filled, and employees will be given options to move to other offices within 20 miles of the closed facilities,” he said.

The USDA is taking a more proactive approach that differs from previous efforts, Vilsack added, and noted that public hearings on some of the office closings will be held within 90 days. Other hearings, like ones affecting food safety offices, should be completed by the end of the year, although some still may be needed in 2013.

Vilsack declined to comment on possible future budget cuts as part of the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations in Congress, but conceded that legislative attention may eventually turn toward the program side of the USDA budget as talks move forward.
 

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