Jay Vroom, president of CropLife America, which represents the pesticide industry, says nominee Sam Clovis Jr. “understands the importance of relying on sound science and data to make important decisions that will affect the ability of growers to provide food
for the U.S. and the world.”
Clovis has drawn sharp criticism since his nomination in July for lacking hard-science credentials and for his skepticism about the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change. If confirmed by the Senate, he would control nearly $3 billion a year in
research grants and serve as the USDA’s top scientist.
Senate Democrats vehemently oppose the appointment of Clovis to be USDA’s undersecretary for research, education and economics. They plan to wage an all-out battle this fall when the Senate considers the nomination.
“This nominee seems to lack the necessary agricultural science and research qualifications that are required” for a top-level science position, says Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Environmental and other left-leaning groups have also seized on Clovis’ weak credentials to attack his nomination. “Clovis’s appointment is unacceptable and would lower the high standards that America’s scientists, universities, farmers and consumers expect,”
says Mike Lavender of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Clovis currently serves as the senior White House adviser to USDA.