(WASHINGTON D.C.) — More industry reaction has come in as the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission has released its second draft strategy report, a wide-ranging plan aimed at reversing the nation’s childhood chronic disease epidemic. (Read more coverage of the second MAHA report here.)
National Corn Growers Association said the report reflected NCGA’s recommendation of reinforcing the Environmental Protection Agency’s robust, globally respected pesticide review process. “The policy recommendations related to crop production, released today by the MAHA Commission, appear to be a reasonable and science-based approach for achieving its objectives,” according to NCGA President and Illinois farmer Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We are encouraged that when the commission engaged with agricultural stakeholders and followed the science, it reaffirmed what we already know: EPA is the appropriate agency for regulating crop inputs. We are also delighted to see precision agriculture, soil health and land stewardship prioritized, as these are areas in which corn farmers have led the way for many years. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress as they turn to the implementation of the report.”
The National Pork Producers Council said the MAHA strategy incorporates a range of initiatives that risk stigmatizing modern farming while deviating from President Trump’s directives related to food security, safety, and affordability. And, the regulatory expansion outlined in the report could lead to increased litigation against American businesses, including food and agriculture.
“While agriculture’s voice was widely unheard in the initial MAHA report, we thank the administration for listening to our concerns before releasing the ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ strategy. We all want to help our children be healthy, yet there is still more work and understanding for this goal to best be accomplished,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “America’s pork producers need the administration’s continued partnership and receptiveness to agriculture and food industry education.”
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) emphasized the essential role of crop protection tools in sustainable wheat production and reaffirmed the nutritional value of enriched and refined grain products in the American diet.
“American wheat farmers rely on safe and effective crop protection tools to ensure a stable and abundant supply of wheat, a cornerstone of our nation’s food security. These tools are essential for managing pests, diseases, and weeds, which directly impact yield and quality. Without them, our farmers would face significant challenges in meeting the demand for wheat, ultimately affecting consumers through higher prices and reduced availability,” said Pat Clements NAWG President. “We urge the MAHA Commission to recognize the critical balance between agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship, and to support policies that enable farmers to continue producing the food, fuel, and fiber our country needs. Farmers are stewards of the land, and we need the flexibility to use the best tools available to meet growing demand while preserving natural resources.”
NAWG also addressed concerns raised in the Commission’s framing of enriched and refined grains as “ultra-processed,” cautioning against broad generalizations that misrepresent their value in a healthy diet.
“Enriched and refined grains—like bread, pasta, and cereals—are important sources of fiber, iron, folic acid, and other essential nutrients for millions of Americans,” said Clements. “These foods are often fortified to help fill key nutrient gaps, especially in underserved populations. The evidence simply does not support the idea that these grain products, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, are harmful to health.”
The U.S. cotton industry applauded the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s new report, which calls for multi-agency research into the potential human health risks and exposure of microplastics and synthetics, including those from textiles. The National Cotton Council also appreciates the Trump administration’s outreach and collaboration with agricultural industry stakeholders as the report was being developed.
“With growing awareness of microplastics’ potential human health impacts, we thank President Trump and the MAHA Commission for their forward-thinking decision to investigate microplastics,” said NCC Chairman Patrick Johnson. “As this topic is researched further, we are optimistic about the potential to further underscore the inherent benefits of natural fibers in the items in our daily lives, such as clothing and bedsheets.”
“We also welcome news of the Environmental Protection Agency’s partnership with food and agricultural stakeholders to foster confidence in the EPA’s robust review procedures for crop protection products,” continued Johnson. “We stand ready to collaborate with the White House and all federal agencies as they work to implement the Commission’s report.”
Agricultural Retailers Association’s (ARA) President and CEO, Daren Coppock, released a statement in support of the Trump Administration’s revised MAHA Commission policy report released. He said in part that “the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) extends its sincere appreciation to the White House and the MAHA Commission for their engagement with the agricultural industry throughout the development of the latest policy report. We are grateful that ARA and its members had the opportunity to contribute to this important process. ARA commends the MAHA Commission for its common-sense, forward-thinking recommendations related to agricultural innovations and environmental stewardship. This report recognizes the importance of essential tools needed for America’s production agriculture using innovative precision ag technologies and other innovations.”
Duane Simpson, President of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, said in a statement in part that “we appreciate that the Trump Administration—working closely with Agriculture Secretary Rollins—listened to the concerns of farmers, ranchers, and cooperatives and addressed several of the issues raised in the earlier version. In particular, the final report avoids unfounded allegations about pesticides and instead supports the science-based findings of agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which have consistently affirmed the safety and efficacy of modern agricultural practices.”
“The report continues to highlight the vital role that farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses play in ensuring a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply for American families,” continued Simpson. “We especially value the emphasis placed on the importance of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products in promoting better health outcomes. We also note with appreciation the recognition that multiple forms of fruits and vegetables—fresh, frozen, dried, and canned—provide significant nutritional benefits.”
