Statement of Ken Cook
President, Environmental Working Group

"President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack have done the public a great service by nominating Kathleen Merrigan for deputy secretary of agriculture.

"It is a strong signal that under the Obama administration, USDA will not be doing agribusiness as usual.

"In a policy realm dominated by the endless clamor of the subsidy lobby, Kathleen has distinguished herself by hearing and responding to the concerns of those who too often have been ignored by agriculture's officialdom: small farmers, advocates for sustainable agriculture, the organic food community, conservationists, and the economically disadvantaged.

"Kathleen has had a distinguished career in agriculture policy, not least of which was her prodigious work for Senator Patrick Leahy to create a national standard for organic food as part of the 1990 farm bill and over the objections of much of the agriculture establishment. She is diligent, creative, forward looking, and deeply committed to public service.

"EWG wishes Kathleen all the best in this new role and looks forward to working with her at USDA."