Wouldn’t it be better to just eliminate the USDA? What is their purpose?
Their (the USDA's) purpose is the public health and safety. Which is not within the purview of a government concerned with the affairs of a federation of independent states. Its Constitution does not contain that power within the enumeration of powers accorded the Federal Government save the barring of dangers to the public health and safety that might emanate from foreign sources (the introduction, for instance, of contagious diseases brought in by immigrants). The public health and safety is otherwise the responsibility of the states.
The given reason, of course, departs markedly from the real reason.