Ranking Member Jim Costa Opening Statement at “The State of the Livestock Industry: Producer Perspectives"
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Ranking Member of the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks at today's subcommittee hearingentitled, "The State of the Livestock Industry: Producer Perspectives."
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Thank you to the Committee for holding this important hearing today reviewing the state of the livestock industry.
This hearing falls on a critical day as President Trump intends to invoke tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Canada and Mexico are top trading partners for the United States as our supply chains are integrated. Think about that as we hear this from the testimonies of our witnesses today.
Today we will also hear from producers how fragile our food supply chain is – as I have always said, food security is national security. Period. We cannot take that for granted, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how fragile our system is, especially with the emergence of highly pathogenic avian flu across our nation.
As I reflect today – it would be remiss of me not to mention the continued cry from producers in my district as they have concerns about the terminations of critical civil service staff within USDA’s Ag Research Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, and much more. This includes firing those working on avian flu response and trying to help producers recover while preventing the next pandemic. The Trump Administration is now trying to hire those workers back, evidence that even they know how misguided and poorly timed this action was. This continues to be of grave concern to my district and constituents.
Some key examples include delays in payments from the Emergency Livestock Program, helping producers impacted by high-path avian flu – notably only 1% have received their payments in California. Delays in payments for conservation services – leaving farmers in question as to moving forward with key projects to help sustain. Delays in key projects that require 24/7 research – such as those at the USDA Ag Research Service
In testimonies today, you will hear of the concerns over investing in the next generation’s workforce. It is critical we retain each USDA employee to ensure the resilience and security of our food supply chain. I would like to submit to the record concerns I have heard from my district on delays in funding.
California continues to be a top ag-producing state for our nation, and I am proud to represent Fresno and Tulare County, top-producing ag counties, which contribute $59 billion to our economy annually. In 2024, California exported livestock and livestock products - $27 million to Canada, $13 million to Mexico, and $1 million to China. Trade will continue to play a role this Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on bipartisan comprehensive trade agreements and getting a bipartisan Farm Bill done.”