Farm Labor Reform Pt 2
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. The Ag Community will be watching Congress closely this year in hopes of seeing serious reforms to ag labor.
On top of that, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says the supply chain and inflation should also get its share of attention …
NEWHOUSE … “We’ve got tremendous challenges facing ag country this coming year. You know supply chain issues, that you mentioned Bob, the costs, what that will do to the costs of inputs from fuel to fertilizer, chemicals, parts, spare parts, all kinds of inputs that we depend on, we’re look at scarcity and increased prices.”
With regards to the President and Ag Secretary recently telling farmers “we’ve got your back,” Newhouse says lets hope so …
NEWHOUSE … “If the President says, we’ve got your back, I’d certainly like to see some changes in some policies to help ameliorate some of the pressures that we’re seeing put on these prices.”
Newhouse says he’s somewhat optimistic …
NEWHOUSE … “The labor issue for sure. Secretary Vilsack has been a partner in the efforts so I’m confident that he will be supportive in changes of labor laws. But bottom line is, it’s really good to hear that they’re telling us, they have our backs, but we need more than just talk. We need more than just empty words and promises. We need action and we’re not seeing a lot of that at this point.”
Newhouse says the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and other possible labor reform bills should get plenty of attention.
