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Trump administration rejects UN farm declaration over gender references

Created at 24 Jul · 3:41 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The Trump administration declined to join a UN declaration on sustainable livestock, citing frequent references to gender equality and climate change as distractions from the FAO's core mandate. The U.S. stated its policy recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and prefers focusing on specific environmental threats over broader climate change terms.

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Key Numbers

1time the word gender appears in the document

Who's Involved

Donald Trump
U.S. President whose administration rejected the declaration
Paul Welcher
Officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Trump administration rejects UN farm declaration over gender references

↳ Why This Matters

The U.S. administration's stance highlights its differing approach to international agreements on environmental and social issues, potentially impacting global cooperation on sustainable agriculture and climate initiatives.

Key facts

  • The U.S. administration refused to join the UN's Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation.
  • The refusal was based on the document's frequent references to gender equality and climate change.
  • The U.S. stated its policy recognizes two sexes, male and female.
  • The plan, which addresses biodiversity, animal welfare, emissions, and disease prevention, was adopted by delegates.
  • The U.S. prefers focusing on specific environmental threats rather than the term 'climate change'.

The Trump administration has rejected participation in the United Nations' Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation due to its references to gender equality and climate change. Paul Welcher, an officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, stated at the Food and Agriculture Organization's COAG30 summit in Rome that these themes "distract from the core tactical elements within the FAO's mandate."

The voluntary plan, adopted by delegates on Friday, advises countries on issues such as biodiversity, animal welfare, emissions, and disease prevention. While the word "gender" appears only once in the document to explain mentions of women and equality, the U.S. administration found it too ambiguous. A statement from the U.S. administration indicated its policy recognizes two sexes, male and female, and that focusing on inclusion comes "at the loss of recognizing hard work, excellence, and individual achievement."

The U.S. also does not accept the term "climate change," preferring to narrow the focus to "specific environmental threats" facing livestock.

Frequently asked questions

The U.S. administration stated that frequent references to gender equality and climate change in the document were distractions from the core mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The U.S. administration's policy recognizes two sexes, male and female, and prefers clear and accurate language.

The declaration advises countries on issues such as biodiversity, animal welfare, emissions, and preventing the spread of disease in sustainable livestock practices.

What Happens Next

01The UN's Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation has been adopted by delegates.

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Cadence

How It Developed

The Trump administration declined to participate in the UN's Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Officer Paul Welcher stated the administration wished to disassociate itself from the plan.
Welcher cited multiple mentions of climate change, gender, equality, and UN sustainability goals as distractions.
The plan was adopted by delegates on Friday.
The U.S. administration previously stated its policy recognizes two sexes, male and female, and prefers clear language.
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Sources

T1
Trump administration rejects UN farm declaration over gender referencesPOLITICO Europe

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