USDA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration

USDA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration

On May 23, 2017, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued President Trump’s proposal for the Budget of the U.S. Government for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The budget proposes significant cuts in funding for climate and other environmental research at various federal agencies. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would see funding for its climate and environmental research programs cut by twelve percent or $76 million, compared to FY 2017 levels. Programs operated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and Forest Service (USFS) will be impacted, with widespread impacts on agricultural producers and the forestry industry. According to a 2018 report:

“The primary impacts of the proposed cuts at ARS and NIFA will fall upon farmers, ranchers, and the agricultural industry that depend upon USDA research to better understand the impacts of environmental change on agricultural production and to develop strategies to sustain agricultural production without damaging the soil and water systems that are the basis for cropping systems. The proposed reductions in USFS research will hurt the sustainable management and resilience of forests and their water, air, soil, and fish and wildlife resources. The cuts would reduce the ability of forest managers to protect forests and nearby communities from fire and invasive species.

The aggregate impacts of these proposed cuts could lead to more forests and homes damaged by fire, more erosion, reduced air and water quality, more flooding, and more outbreaks of disease and pests, resulting in potentially higher prices for food and lumber and reduced human health and nutrition.”