Slave Labor-Human Trafficking Bill Pt 1

Slave Labor-Human Trafficking Bill Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. It's probably no surprise that Washington's ag industry has gone on record saying it is against slave labor and human trafficking. I'm not sure who IS, but under a bill endorsed by Democrats on the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, dairy farmers and fruit growers would be required to report if they use slaves ...

LEWISON ... "I think the bizarre thing about this legislation from my perspective is that apparently no one is talking about it. It happened to come on my radar, it was suggested to me while I was visiting Olympia, and I think that people aren't talking about it because it's under the title of "transparency."

The Washington Policy Center's Pam Lewison says it's little more than an accusation...

LEWISON ... " 'Transparency in the Supply Chain' is the title of this legislation. So, when you actually get into the weeds of what we're talking about, it is nothing short of pointing the finger at the ag industry and saying people in agriculture are actively participating in slavery and human trafficking."

So, is slave labor and human trafficking a problem in Washington ag? ...

LEWISON ... "Washington state was the first state to enact legislation that human trafficking is not acceptable and that it's illegal. I think that's great! We can all get on board with that. But, the problem is catching people who are in that business, if you will, is really challenging and the A.G., on his own website, says that within the first five years of that legislation passing, they didn't have a single, reported case of human trafficking."

Listen tomorrow for more on this controversial legislation.

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