Contacts: Contacts: Carly Jansen, Goodman Media, (212) 576-2700, xt 250; Havelock Nelson, Goodman Media, (212) 576-2700, xt 235

Center says Kathleen Merrigan’s academic and public policy experience in both organic and sustainable agriculture arenas makes her an ideal choice for the new Deputy Secretary

WASHINGTON, DC – February 26, 2009 – The Center for Food Safety today praised President Barack Obama’s appointment of Kathleen Merrigan as the new Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Center (CFS) had urged the new administration to consider Merrigan for a position at USDA, as it would “elevate food safety to the top of the governmentís list of priorities,” according to Andrew Kimbrell, the organization’s Executive Director.

“Kathleen Merrigan’s academic and public policy experience in both organic and sustainable agriculture arenas makes her an ideal choice for the new Deputy Secretary,” continued Kimbrell. “Merrigan’s commitment to the promotion of safe food policies and her proven ability to work with the farm and consumer NGO communities signals real change at USDA.”

Merriganís experience as Director of the Agriculture, Food and Environment Program at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, she was among The Centerís recommendations for the most qualified and committed candidates for Secretary and Undersecretaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

As a former representative on the National Organic Standards Board, Merrigan served as senior science and technology advisor to the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. She helped usher in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which mandated the implementation of national organic standards and a program of federal organic certification.

“Given the Bush Administrationís history of undermining food safety agencies and promoting big agriculture at the expense of mid-sized and small family farmers, Merrigan’s appointment is welcome indeed,” concluded Kimbrell. “The government has a duty to protect its citizens and ensure their safety when dealing with untested, new technologies; Kathleen Merrigan has always been an advocate of putting public safety and sustainability first.”

The Center for Food Safety is national, non-profit, membership organization founded in 1997 to protect human health and the environment by curbing the use of harmful food production technologies and by promoting organic and other forms of sustainable agriculture. On the web at: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org