The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall has voiced strong concerns over the recent White House report issued by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. The report, intended to address health outcomes in America, has drawn criticism from farmers for its contradictory messaging and lack of transparency in its development process.

Duvall expressed dismay at the report’s approach, which he says undermines confidence in the U.S. food system while simultaneously acknowledging farmers’ critical role in producing the world’s safest food supply. “It is deeply troubling for the White House to endorse a report that sows seeds of doubt and fear about our food system and farming practices,” Duvall stated. He highlighted the report’s reliance on outlier studies and unproven theories, which he believes perpetuate a false narrative about food safety, despite the report’s eventual acknowledgment of substantial evidence supporting the safety of American agriculture.

Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts weighed in on the report as well. “President Trump has voiced his trust in farmers many times,” said Boelts. “It is extremely important that farmers are at the table, our positions are taken to heart and that sound science guides the conversation for the MAHA Commission to have credibility.”

A significant point of contention is the exclusion of farmers from the report’s development. Despite repeated requests from the agricultural community for inclusion, farmers were not consulted, raising questions about the transparency promised to the American public. “Farmers are identified as ‘critical partners,’ yet were excluded from participating in the development of the report,” Duvall noted. He emphasized that undermining public confidence in the food system directly contradicts the report’s stated goal of ensuring farmers thrive.

Duvall, a farmer himself, underscored the commitment of farmers and ranchers to improving health outcomes through continuous innovation guided by sound science and technological advancements. He expressed skepticism about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) role in the report, suspecting the agency contributed to the recognition of farmers’ importance but failed to steer the report toward a more balanced perspective.

The nearly 70-page report is now under scrutiny by the AFBF and the Arizona Farm Bureau, with Duvall pledging to engage in further discussions with administration officials. He called on President Trump, who has frequently expressed support for farmers, to ensure a transparent process moving forward—one that includes farmers at the table and prioritizes sound science over emotionally charged rhetoric.

As the agricultural community continues to review the report’s contradictory assertions, the AFBF and the Arizona Farm Bureau remain committed to advocating for policies that support farmers and maintain public trust in the nation’s food system.