According to internal documents reviewed by Reuters, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has formally ended union contracts for approximately 6,500 Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) employees and 1,650 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) employees.

The action follows President Donald Trump's March executive order to exclude certain federal employees from collective bargaining if their agencies have "national security" missions. The order's scope has also reached agencies such as the EPA and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Agency justification and reaction

A USDA spokesperson framed the move as part of "optimizing our workforce and returning to a customer service-focused, farmer-first agency", adding it would make the department "more nimble" and competitive as an employer.

Paula Soldner, chair of the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals within the American Federation of Government Employees, said the termination deepens worker uncertainty and confusion as the administration pursues federal workforce cuts. FSIS inspectors are tasked with monitoring meat, poultry, and egg products to safeguard food quality and prevent foodborne illnesses.

Legal challenge underway

The National Association of Agriculture Employees (NAAE) has filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that APHIS plant inspection duties-focused on detecting pests and plant diseases-are unrelated to national security. At least another 150 APHIS employees represented by a separate union are also affected.

This legal action comes after an August 1 federal appeals court decision lifting an injunction that had blocked implementation of the executive order.

Impact on staffing

The USDA has shed more than 15,000 employees since January through terminations or financial incentives to leave, including over 500 at FSIS and 1,300 at APHIS. Critics say the loss of trained inspectors could have long-term effects on food safety and agricultural health oversight.