Ag Labor Meeting in D.C. Pt 2
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. Last week, members of Congress were joined by American farm groups, called to Washington D.C. by the National Potato Council, to stress the critical need for ag labor reform.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse is a co-sponsor of a bill called the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that’s passed in the House …
NEWHOUSE … “You know, ag labor reform, that’s been one of my priorities since I came to Congress. For the first time since 1986, we were able to get a bill through the House of Representatives. It’s been truly an historic fete.”
But, Newhouse says there’s no time to rest …
NEWHOUSE … “I’m a farmer myself. Many of you may know that. And, I talk to my friends and neighbors, agricultural labor, the availability and the steady, legal supply of labor is one of the most important issues that face the survivability of our farmers in this country today.”
So, Newhouse says let’s get this done …
NEWHOUSE … “There’s truly a labor shortage. There truly is a skyrocketing cost of labor. These are the things that are putting farmers out of business and that’s what this legislation addresses here. We need to get this passed. We need to get it to the President’s desk and make it law. Our agricultural industry has to have it done.”
Newhouse says the good news with recent trade deals is that we have expanded markets, but we also need a reliable workforce in order to meet those demands.
