With the federal government now shut down, several agencies vital to agriculture have scaled back operations. Essential services such as produce inspections, export certifications and outbreak response remain in place, but many programs – like organic oversight, pesticide residue testing, USDA data reports and H-2A labor certifications – are suspended. Members should expect delays in labor processing, reduced regulatory oversight and gaps in market intelligence until funding is restored. Western Growers will continue to monitor developments closely and keep members informed of any changes affecting your operations.

USDA

• AMS (Marketing Services)
  • Operating: Specialty crop inspections & grading (fee-funded), Market News (as needed).
  • Paused: Organic Program oversight, Pesticide Data Program, labeling initiatives, most grant/marketing programs.
• APHIS (Animal & Plant Health)
  • Operating: Port inspections, import/export certifications, phytosanitary certificates, emergency pest response.
  • Paused: Certain research reviews may be delayed, but most core operations continue.
• Disaster Programs
  • Operating: USDA staff coordinating federal disaster response remain available.
  • Paused: Paperwork processing for the 2023-2024 ad hoc disaster program.
• ERS/NASS (Research & Statistics)
  • Paused: Most market/economic data products and reports.
• NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)
  • Paused: Estimated 4 percent of employees will be working.
• NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
  • Paused: Paperwork and payments for conservation programs and projects.
• REE (Research, Education, and Economics)
  • Paused: Citrus greening, crop production and food safety research.

FDA

• Operating: Outbreak and recall response, import entry review, for-cause inspections, enforcement actions tied to immediate threats. Routine food facility and farm inspections are expected to continue.
• Paused: Long-term food safety initiatives, policy development.

DOL

• H-2A (Foreign Labor Certification)
  • Paused: Most H-2A-related activities, including foreign labor certifications and case processing. Expect delays and backlogs once funding is restored.
• Wage & Hour Division
  • Operating: Emergencies, child labor or serious harm cases.
  • Paused: Most other enforcement.
• OSHA
  • Operating: Imminent danger/fatality investigations, time-critical enforcement.
  • Paused: Routine inspections.

Homeland Security

• Homeland Security
  • Operating: U.S. Customs and Immigration Services plays a role in H-2A processing. Most employees remain on the job, so operations will largely continue.

State Department

• Operating: All foreign embassies remain open and consular interviews will continue.

Day-to-Day Impacts

• Produce at Ports: Import inspections and export certifications continue; shipments should move, but expect bottlenecks if staff stretched.
• Domestic Facilities: Fewer FDA inspections unless there’s an outbreak; reduced oversight in the short term.
• Labor: H-2A certifications stall; risk of labor shortages if the lapse continues.
• Market Data: AMS Market News continues; USDA reports (ERS/NASS) paused; less intel for planting/marketing decisions.
• Organic/Residue Programs: Suspended; delays in certification/data release.

Operations Checklist for Members

• Confirm AMS inspection services (fee-based programs remain available).
• Line up export certifications early (APHIS still operating).
• Prepare for potential H-2A delays; check status of pending certifications.
• Communicate food safety readiness internally; FDA still active on outbreaks/recalls.
• Adjust market intelligence expectations; some USDA data reports won’t be published.
• Monitor OSHA/WHD guidance but expect fewer routine visits unless there’s imminent risk.

If members have any questions, please contact Cory Lunde, VP of External Affairs, at [email protected].