What role does the USDA play in agriculture?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety, making this the correct choice. The USDA is responsible for overseeing various regulations and programs that ensure the safety of food products from the farm to the table. This includes setting standards for the quality and safety of meat, poultry, and egg products through its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Additionally, the USDA conducts inspections, enforces regulations, and provides education to consumers and producers about safe food handling practices. This focus is essential for public health, as it helps to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensures that the food supply is safe for consumption.

While promoting international trade, providing subsidies, and managing water resources are also significant activities within the agricultural sector, these roles do not encapsulate the primary objective of the USDA. Promoting international trade involves facilitating the export of agricultural products, which is just one aspect of the broader agricultural economy. Providing subsidies is indeed an important function of the USDA to support farmers and stabilize the agricultural market, but it is not primarily focused on food safety. Managing water resources is typically associated with other agencies or departments and is more about environmental management than direct food safety responsibilities. Thus, ensuring food safety is the most direct and primary