Make America Healthy Again adviser Calley Means joined several agriculture industry groups for a trip to a Maryland farm Wednesday amid a slew of negative feedback to a report that criticized pesticide use, according to five people familiar with the event.
Means’ attendance came as administration officials look to mend relationships with agriculture groups that have come out swinging after the MAHA report released last month questioned the safety of using certain pesticides and food additives. Some industry representatives said the farm visit could help soothe tensions.
“We were pleased to see Mr. Means was out on the farm and hearing from a farmer about the pesticides he needs to get his job done,” said one industry representative, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the relationship between farm groups and Means. “Our hope is that this experience … will shape the final report and that our technologies will not be a part of that report.”
Means said in a statement that the administration has a “clear, deep commitment” to solving increasing rates of chronic disease in children.
