The administration of Donald Trump has outlined a proposed 2027 budget that reflects shifting priorities within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including a funding increase for the Food Safety and Inspection Service while several other divisions face continued constraints.
One area seeing notable changes is enforcement under the Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. Funding tied to enforcement of this law is projected to decline by 28%, dropping from $32.631 million in 2026 to $23.631 million in 2027. Despite this reduction, enforcement activity has remained significant. In 2025, more than $12.6 million was recovered across 169 cases, with a substantial portion linked to claims involving packer and dealer trusts. Increased use of the FarmerFairness.gov portal has also played a role, generating a majority of complaints since its launch in 2022. Officials have acknowledged, however, that sustaining thorough investigations may ultimately require additional staffing, particularly in roles such as economists, investigators, and legal specialists.
Elsewhere within the department, funding pressures continue to affect research and animal health programs. The Economic Research Service is expected to maintain reduced staffing levels after a nearly 25% workforce decline between 2025 and 2026. Its project funding also dropped by 23% during that time and is set to remain at that lower level. As part of a broader effort to streamline operations, the agency plans to scale back or discontinue certain research areas, including studies related to international markets, climate issues, equity initiatives, and food waste.
Within ERS, agricultural research funding is slated to decrease further, falling by 17% to $74.982 million in 2027. There is also a planned reduction of $2 million for data collection tied to food prices and markets, even as the agency continues to maintain its comprehensive consumer food data systems used to inform policymakers and the public.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is facing similar challenges. After a 17% reduction in staffing between 2025 and 2026, workforce levels are expected to remain unchanged into 2027. Financial support for APHIS projects has also declined sharply in recent years, dropping 22% from 2025 to 2026 and nearly 29% compared with 2024, with an additional decrease anticipated in the upcoming budget.
Still, some targeted investments are being proposed within APHIS. These include an additional $4.5 million for cattle health efforts related to New World screwworm and a smaller increase to support the safe movement of animals and animal products in trade. At the same time, funding for the cervid and small ruminant health program is set to be reduced by $7.742 million.
Overall, while the budget proposal highlights increased support for food safety inspection, it also reflects a broader strategy of reducing or reallocating resources across other USDA programs. As with all presidential budget proposals, the plan serves as a statement of priorities and will ultimately be subject to changes during the congressional appropriations process.
