Supporters applaud Kennedy’s plans to curb Huge Ag and clear up the meals provide, whereas critics say his insurance policies are ‘harmful’ to American agriculture.
On the eve of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first affirmation listening to, a bunch of farmers despatched a letter to the Senate Finance Committee urging the chamber to assist the previous presidential candidate’s bid to change into secretary of Well being and Human Companies (HHS).
“A lot rancor has been fomented about Kennedy, but more healthy native meals ought to deliver all of us collectively,” Klar wrote.
“Individuals are being sickened by manufacturing facility meals that kill way more individuals yearly from hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers than die from flu or different viruses.
“Life expectations are dropping, weight problems charges skyrocket—and RFK Jr. attracts hearth for questioning glyphosate, or advocating for tallow?” he added.
Kennedy is showing at a affirmation listening to on Jan. 29 earlier than the Senate Committee on Finance, which oversees HHS.
He may even testify in entrance of the Senate Committee on Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions on Jan. 30.
The previous Democrat and impartial presidential candidate will face questions from each panels, however solely the Senate Finance Committee will vote on whether or not to advance him to a full Senate ground vote.
Kennedy should get a easy majority to realize affirmation. Republicans maintain a 53–47 majority within the chamber.
Within the letter, Klar wrote: “President Trump has made it clear, he needs RFK Jr. on the helm of HHS to Make America Wholesome Once more by tackling the continual illness epidemic.”
“Six in 10 Individuals have at the least one continual illness, and 4 in 10 have two or extra continual ailments. Continual illness prices america roughly $4.8 trillion annually when you think about each direct medical prices and misplaced productiveness,” Klar wrote.
“Mr. Kennedy’s plan to reverse the continual illness epidemic will scale back this monetary burden on our nation.”
An environmental lawyer and founding father of Kids’s Well being Protection, Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat after which as an impartial earlier than leaving the race in August 2024 and backing Trump.
Combating continual illness, bettering youngsters’s well being, and addressing company affect on authorities businesses have been very important elements of Kennedy’s marketing campaign platform.
If confirmed, he would head a division that manages 13 businesses, together with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH).
Kennedy has promised vital adjustments all through the division.
Nominee for secretary of the Division of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins is predicted to work with Kennedy on a number of points if each are confirmed by the Senate.
The USDA and the HHS have a late 2025 deadline to finish the 2025–2030 version of the Dietary Pointers for Individuals.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talks to a supporter at an natural farm in New Hampshire on Sept. 11, 2023 Jeff Louderback/The Epoch Instances
Some farmers have expressed concern over Kennedy’s criticism of high-fructose corn syrup.
“It’s glyphosate, which is the energetic ingredient in Roundup. It’s neonicotinoid pesticides. It’s atrazine. It’s PFOAs, the perpetually chemical compounds [that are in many goods]. It’s high-fructose corn syrup,” he says.
Final November, farmer Amanda Zaluckyj wrote a column within the Ag Each day commerce journal calling Kennedy “an absolute hazard” to American farmers.
“He has gone so far as saying he would ‘weaponize’ regulatory businesses to remove the usage of pesticides,” Zaluckyj mentioned.
Dana O’Brien, a biotech analyst, wrote within the on-line commerce journal AgriPulse that Trump’s embrace of Kennedy is “a risk to American agriculture” and “represents a wholesale shift in politics and farm coverage.”
For years, Kennedy has chastised Huge Ag commerce teams and industrial meals companies, blaming them for creating the continual illness epidemic, resulting in a speedy rise in weight problems, and harming the vitality of household farms.
The letter written by Klar and signed by the group of farmers praised Kennedy’s plans.
“Kennedy will reform America’s meals system by taking robust motion in opposition to ultra-processed meals and dangerous meals components.
“Meals security, vitamin, and public well being can be on the forefront of his efforts to make sure meals are protected, healthful, and correctly labeled,” the letter defined.
Klar believes that Kennedy’s insurance policies “will develop the financial system and restore rural farms and their communities.”