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by

Philip Mattera

A critical look at the transformation of the USDA from the "People's Department" into "USDA Inc."

The reorientation of USDA has been occurring over many years, but it has now reached a dra-matic
stage. Thanks to its growing political influence within the Bush Administration, Big
Agribusiness has been able to pack USDA with appointees who have a background of working, lob-bying,
or performing research for large food processing companies and trade associations. Conversely,
there are virtually no high-level appointees at USDA with ties to family farm, labor, consumer or
environmental advocacy groups.

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