USDA Announces Streamlining Efforts
Categories: U.S. Legislatitive Issues |
Author:
Mike Williams |
Posted: 1/10/2012 |
Views: 203
In a keynote speech given to the American Farm Bureau Federation on January 9th, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined a series of efforts, called the "Blueprint for Stronger Service," that the Department is taking to streamline its operations and cut costs.
USDA will close 259 offices, facilities and laboratories across the country. To highlight a few, 131 Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in 32 states will close, as will 15 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) offices in 11 states, 43 Rural Development (RD) sub and area offices in 17 states and 24 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil survey offices in 21 states.
"The time has come to get our country's fiscal house in order," Vilsack said, noting that this involves "tough calls, tough choices." USDA's budget has been cut by over $3 billion, roughly 12%, since 2010. In addition, the Obama Administration has called on all Cabinet Secretaries to engage in such measures by initiating the Campaign to Cut Waste.
To read a copy of the Secretary's remarks click here
More information on Blueprint for Stronger Service