The first reorganization of the Agriculture Department in a generation may have to wait for the president who takes office in 15 months, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters. “It is not a simple matter. It is rather complex.” Congress mandated the creation of an new USDA post, undersecretary for trade, in the 2014 farm law to give American agriculture more muscle in dealing with other nations. Farm exports are forecast at $138.5 billion this fiscal year, the fourth-largest ever. Trade generates more than 20 cents of each $1 in farm receipts.
So many issues are linked to trade that there are conflicting ideas about how to structure the new position and which agencies should be in the portfolio of the new undersecretary. The National Academy of Public Administration, in a report ordered by Congress, called for an organizational shuffle that would give more emphasis to food safety and better coordinate farm supports in addition to putting the new trade undersecretary in charge of the Foreign Agricultural Service and offices handling export inspections and market promotion.
Agribusiness groups have a different approach in mind, and say the trade undersecretary should oversee agricultural health as well as the Foreign Agricultural Service. Vilsack said he expects to receive one more report on potential restructuring.
A reorganization, with the attendant realignment of agencies, “would take a considerable amount of time to implement,” said Vilsack. And it would have long-lasting effects. It is a fair question, the secretary said, whether the Obama administration should start the process now or let the incoming administration put its views into action. “I haven’t made that decision,” said Vilsack.