Tell your Senators: Stop a Dow employee from running the USDA’s science division!

Hutchins’ nomination is just the latest example of Trump’s giveaways to Dow. Why is Trump so interested in helping Dow? Maybe because the company donated $1 million to his inaugural committee.

Together, we can stop this dangerous nominee. The last person Trump nominated for this job was Sam Clovis -- a racist, anti-environment extremist with no background in science. And Friends of the Earth members like you played a key role in forcing him to withdraw his nomination. But we need to act now to win again.

Dear Senator,

I strongly urge you to vote NO on Scott Hutchins' nomination as chief scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Hutchins spent over 30 years of his career working at Dow AgroSciences with a focus on pesticides. His strong ties to corporate agribusiness and pesticide companies present serious conflicts of interest that will undoubtedly affect his ability to serve as chief scientist for the USDA. Hutchins would also be the third member of Dow AgroSciences’ pesticide and seed division to hold a high-level position in the Trump administration’s USDA.

If confirmed, Hutchins would be setting the agenda for the agency’s $2.9 billion research budget to advance scientific knowledge related to agriculture through research, extension and education. He would provide leadership and oversight for the Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Agricultural Library and National Agricultural Statistics Service. These programs cover a variety of important agricultural issues including nutrition, food safety, crop production and protection, natural resources, sustainable agricultural systems and the economic viability of U.S. farms. I’m deeply concerned that Hutchins would be tasked with regulating the products and conduct of his former employers.

Hutchins nomination is just the latest example of Trump’s giveaways to Dow. One of his first acts as President was to appoint Dow’s CEO to head up his now-defunct American Manufacturing Council. And his EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, overturned a ban on Dow’s nerve gas pesticide chlorpyrifos after meeting with Dow executives.

I strongly urge you to stand up to the pesticide industry, stand up for our health and environment, and vote against Hutchins confirmation!

Thank you.

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