U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has expressed her support for Brooke Rollins, nominated by President Trump to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. During a Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing, Hyde-Smith received commitments from Rollins to collaborate on improving federal agricultural inspection regimens and addressing veterinarian recruitment challenges.
Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of enhancing the inspection responsibilities of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), particularly in relation to Mississippi’s farm-raised catfish industry. “Foreign catfish imports, primarily from Vietnam and China, have really hurt the industry,” she stated. Hyde-Smith highlighted that FSIS inspections are more rigorous than those conducted by the Food and Drug Administration but noted they have not been prioritized recently.
Rollins agreed with Hyde-Smith on tightening FSIS’s imported catfish inspection responsibilities. “I really look forward to all aspects of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Rollins said, committing to improve inspection processes.
Additionally, Hyde-Smith addressed veterinarian recruitment issues within USDA agencies like APHIS and FSIS, which impact animal health protection and food security. She pointed out past struggles with inadequate staffing due to an uncompetitive compensation system.
Rollins pledged to work towards solutions aligned with the President’s agenda, aiming for timely improvements in these areas.
A favorable vote by the Senate Agriculture Committee would advance Rollins’ nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.
