USDA fires 70 foreign researchers in security crackdown Purge halts key farm studies, leaves hog vaccine in limbo21 July 2025 21 July 2025 3 minute read 3 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North AmericaThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it has fired 70 foreign contract researchers after a national security review intended to secure the US food supply from adversaries including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, reported Reuters. "USDA has completed a thorough review of individuals authorized to work on contracts with the department and identified approximately 70 individuals from countries of concern," a spokesperson said. "The individuals working on these contracts from countries of concern will no longer be able to work on USDA projects." The ARS conducts research on agriculture topics like pests, food safety and climate change that are high-priority to American farmers. In a July 8 memo, Rollins prohibited USDA staff from publishing research with foreign nationals from the four "countries of concern" without agency approval and from attending events organized by "foreign adversaries."