The Agriculture Department is increasing scrutiny over research involving its employees and noncitizens to secure the U.S. food supply from foreign adversaries. New directives compel recipients of USDA funding to disclose contracts with foreign entities and ensure they are not involved in malign foreign recruitment programs. As a result, the USDA laid off 70 researchers from countries deemed concerning. The policy directs employees to cease collaborations and interactions with individuals from specified countries. It also prohibits recruitment of foreign workers without prior approval.
The Agriculture Department is applying increased scrutiny to research involving noncitizen employees, emphasizing security around the U.S. food supply against foreign adversaries.
The USDA's new directives require funding recipients to disclose contracts with foreign entities and certify they are not part of malign foreign recruitment.
As part of the new policy, the USDA laid off 70 researchers from countries of concern, which included Syria, South Africa, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated commitment to securing agricultural research from foreign adversaries and prioritizing American farmers and ranchers.
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