U.S. Senators Push for Essential Status of Agricultural Marketing Service Market News Department
U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Pete Ricketts have joined forces to advocate for the essential status of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Market News Department. In a letter addressed to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the senators highlighted the importance of this department and urged the designation of its services as essential, ensuring its operation during any future government shutdowns.
The AMS Market News Department plays a crucial role in providing accurate, timely, and reliable market information to all contributors within the agricultural supply chain. Producers, processors, distributors, and retailers heavily rely on this information to make informed decisions and remain competitive in an ever-changing market landscape. The data provided by AMS Market News also helps exporters navigate international markets and maintain the competitiveness of American agricultural products globally.
The senators expressed their concerns regarding a potential reversal of the essential status of the AMS Market News Department by the Biden Administration. They emphasized that both the previous and current administrations had deemed this service essential before, making it essential in the shutdown contingency plan for 2021 and essential by the previous administration in 2018. The reversal of this decision could disproportionately harm rural America and contradict the USDA’s mission to serve farmers and ranchers.
By officially designating the AMS Market News Department as an essential service within the USDA, farmers, ranchers, and the broader agricultural community would have continued access to critical market information during government shutdowns. This designation would ensure that producers can gauge market trends, determine pricing strategies, and make informed financial decisions. It would also support the efficiency of agribusinesses, processors, distributors, and retailers in delivering agricultural products to consumers.
Senators Marshall and Ricketts, along with other supportive senators, have expressed their dedication to the well-being of the agricultural industry and urged Secretary Vilsack to consider their request. They hope that by designating AMS Market News Department as essential, the USDA will prioritize the welfare of agriculture producers nationwide and maintain the flow of vital market information.
The full letter addressed to Secretary Vilsack can be accessed on Senator Marshall’s official website. The senators look forward to Secretary Vilsack’s response and are hopeful that their initiative receives the necessary support to sustain the nation’s agricultural industry.
In conclusion, the essential status of the AMS Market News Department is crucial for the agricultural sector’s welfare. This service provides vital market information to all stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain and contributes to the competitiveness of American agricultural products globally. By designating this department as essential, senators aim to ensure its continued operation and support the informed decision-making necessary for a thriving agricultural industry.