Judge Blocks H-2A Rule and Politicians and Food Prices
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**A federal judge blocked the U.S. Labor Department from enforcing a rule in 17 states that would prevent agricultural employers from retaliating against migrant workers with H-2A visas for joining labor unions.
Employers also couldn’t retaliate for workers organizing against wage theft, trafficking, and other abuses.
Courthouse News says the judge ruled the regulation would unconstitutionally give foreign agricultural workers rights Congress never wanted to provide.
**The latest results are in from the Gardner Food and Ag
Policy survey on the question of whether consumers believe those in political power can address high food prices.
Farm Doc Daily says the recent emphasis on food prices by both presidential candidates shows the issue’s relevance.
Most respondents felt that only THEIR PARTY would be successful in lowering prices.
Independents were less confident politicians COULD lower prices.
**The USDA is awarding $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops, and help support producers.
USDA Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt says this funding will strengthen specialty crop production and markets to ensure Americans have access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is awarding $72.9 million across 54 states, and $9.4 million to 11 projects in multiple states.
