In a move that could have wide-ranging impacts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) food safety, nutrition, research, and farm services programs, more than 11,300 USDA employees have signed up for the Trump Administration's second round of deferred resignations. The new round follows the 3,877 employees who chose in January to resign.
USDA confirmed the resignation figures in an email, per reporting by Politico. The total resignations include 555 employees at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and comprise nearly 15 percent (15,182 positions) of the Department's overall staff. Also departing USDA are 1,377 workers at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the department responsible for avian flu response; 1,255 staff at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS); and at least 498 employees at the Food and Nutrition Service, among others.