While many of you are aware of the forthcoming sequester on March 1, which may result in furloughs within the ranks of 2.1 million federal employees, you may not be aware of how this might affect your food. According to Daniel Werfel, a controller for the Office of Management and Budget, it might result in reduced food inspections by the Department of Agriculture. Not that these guys do such a wonderful job in the first place, but this seems like a really bad idea considering that food fraud was already up 60% last year. From CNN:
At Thursday’s hearing, Werfel said agencies might not be able to avoid furloughs that would reduce essential services. At the Agriculture Department, for example, it’s not possible to avoid furloughs that would result in fewer food inspections, because most of the agency’s expenses are the salaries and benefits of people who perform those tasks.
“So it becomes a math issue, ultimately,” he said. “This is one of the very tangible and clear and significant impacts of sequester: This division within USDA will not be able to make its core mission of sending the inspectors to these locations.”
The exact number of total furloughs planned is still unavailable, since agencies are still deciding how to spread the cuts. It’s possible some agencies may yet be able to spare some employees from furloughs or at least minimize days of unpaid leave.
The only group that could escape furloughs are some 1,500 presidential appointees, including Cabinet positions, deputy secretaries and assistant secretaries. That’s because those jobs are considered 24-hour-a-day positions, said Max Stier, president and CEO of Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit that advocates for a more efficient federal workforce.
Most of those workers are at the top of the federal pay scale, Stier said.
As usual, those at the top of the pyramid know how to protect themselves. When things get tight it’s important not to worry about the appearance of horse meat in TV dinners, just make sure the government elite get their bloated paychecks…
Full article here.
In Liberty,
Mike
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I seriously doubt the lack of inspections from the USDA is going to make matters worse. These farmers etc. have always wanted these idiots out of the way anyhow. Look at the mess they have created. The government IS THE PROBLEM. The less they can operate the quicker we get back to FREEDOM. REAL freedom. I hope they shut completely down.
I totally agree with LP. Regulation nation.
But how do we address the Fact that the U.S. is allowing the import of beef and fish from the still highly radiated Fukushima Prefecture? Is anyone monitoring any of the Pacific Ocean catches, like Alaskan King Crab etc.? The same with the Gulf of Mexico?
http://www.rttnews.com/1983045/fukushima-resumes-beef-export-to-us.aspx
http://rt.com/news/fukushima-nuclear-radiation-fish-238/
http://offgridsurvival.com/gulfofmexicotoxic/
I, for one, welcome our new equine-based entrees.