Ag Labor Shortage
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. As harvest season continues, the shortage of bodies crops in continues to hamper many growers and processors.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says there’s a growing level of awareness and urgency among many members of Congress about the labor situation …
NEWHOUSE … “It’s no secret that across the economy people are having a hard time getting workers into to do any kind of job these days, but certainly this has been a long-term problem, a long problem we’ve seen in agriculture.”
And, Newhouse says they’ve made some good strides in recent months …
NEWHOUSE … “As you know, we passed a bill in the House this spring and there’s a group of Senators that have taken up the mantel of the Farmworker Modernization Act and have been working very well together, a bipartisan group of Senators.”
But, Newhouse says the work is far from over …
NEWHOUSE … “And we’ll continue to work with them to do all we can to move the legislation through the Senate.”
So, Newhouse says they’ll do what they have to, no matter how long it takes …
NEWHOUSE … “The process is slow, it’s frustratingly slow sometimes, but we continue to put as much pressure on as we can and help other members of Congress understand the urgent situation that we face in agriculture as it relates to labor.”
In July, a Newhouse amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Act was approved allowing H-2A guestworkers, in all ag sectors, year-round access.
