During March, the government efficiency department (Dogefor its acronym in English), headed by the South African businessman and investor Elon Musk, an alleged “revolution in the effectiveness of the US government” began, which is why it eliminated six thousand jobs in the Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture (USDAfor its acronym in English) is responsible for programs and services related to rural development, nutrition, food, animals, natural resources, environment and forests. Therefore, The elimination of these charges was considered In the United States as an “idea impulsive”
In this context, as provided by the American media, the Doge decision brought consequences and has triggered “a unprecedented crisis”In the food security of the North American country, taking into account that this restructuring The department has affected many ports, fields and supermarkets.
According to the American magazine Wiredspecialized in analyzing the impact of technology on culture, education, economy and politics, decisions taken by Doge in its attempt to modernize to the United States government “have seriously weakened to the more sectors important of the state apparatus ”.
Sectors most affected by Doge
Among the work sectors most affected by the government efficiency department are inspectors phytosanitaryBiologists and dog coaches trackersthree charges fundamental For agricultural protection against pests and diseases, according to the Department of Agriculture in the US.
As stated by the magazine WiredMusk’s team at Doge works 119 hours per week (17 hours a day), with the aim of becoming an example of efficiency. However, “this rhythm has led them to make decisions erratic“, as mass layoffs and communication errors related to classified data.
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Currently, the effects of cuts in the Agriculture Department are already noticeable, because some key ports of the country, such as those in the cities of Los Angeles and Miamihave registered 40 % reductions in the personnel of quarantine and 55 % in the detection equipment of agricultural smuggling.
Agricultural quarantine is a set of measures aimed at preventing the introduction of pests and diseases In a nation. These apply through legal, technical and administrative restrictions to the Movement of goods. However, the elimination of positions has generated delaysloss of products and price increase.
The former coach of the National Detection Dog Center, Derek Copeland, warned about the “current disability” to contain various threats, such as giant African snail and the Asian long -hated beetletwo invasive species that could destroy crops in the United States and destroy entire ecosystems.
Likewise, the Regulatory Affairs Manager, Mike Laharconsiders that paralysis in phytosanitary controls will also affect the international trade, since “the lack of rigorous inspections could allow the entry of devastating pests with effects catastrophic”, Not only in agriculture, but also in the national economy.
Elon Musk says that the United States should go to a situation of zero tariffs:
“I hope it remembers that both Europe and the United States should advance, ideally, in my opinion, towards a situation of zero tariff … creating a free trade zone. This certainly … pic.twitter.com/hncoveh52Y
– Wall Street Wolverine (@wallstwolverine) April 6, 2025