Tell the USDA: Stop suppressing science that could help save bees

Subject:*

Your Letter:*
Dear Dr. Woteki and Secretary Vilsack, I’m deeply troubled by reports that USDA’s own scientists are experiencing unfair censorship and suppression of their research. Based on the complaint filed by Dr. Jonathan Lundgren and a petition filed on behalf of more than ten other USDA scientists by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, it is clear that important research is being censored or suppressed if it calls into question the safety of agricultural chemicals. In their letter, the scientists explained, “Your words are changed, your papers are censored or edited and you are not allowed to submit them at all” and that USDA officials retracted studies, watered down findings, removed scientists’ names from the authorship of papers and delayed approvals for publication of research papers that ran counter to pesticide industry interests. If the USDA is censoring and suppressing its own scientists who are calling into question the hazards of these pesticides, how can we expect the USDA to implement policies that truly protect bees, butterflies, the environment, our health and our food system and not just the profits of the pesticide industry? Intimidation and harassment of USDA scientists doing crucial research on pesticides, our food and farming system can’t be tolerated. We must ensure this public agency funded by our taxpayer dollars serves the interests, health and safety of the American public. I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, make the results of the investigation publicly available once it’s complete, and take the necessary steps, including revising your Scientific Integrity Policy, to ensure that the USDA maintains scientific integrity and never allows industry to interfere with the work of the agency to protect the well-being of the American people, essential organisms and ecosystems and our food system. Finally, I urge Dr. Catherine Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education & Economics, and the person ultimately responsible for creating a climate of suppression of science and censorship at USDA, to immediately resign. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Zip/Postal Code*