WASHINGTON, DC - On May 31, members of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) testified at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing “From farm to table: Immigrant workers get the job done” to discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
“The AEWR was originally created to protect American workers who performed the same duties as those working on H-2A contracts, so they would not be adversely affected,” testified Adam Lytch, Regional Manager at L&M Farms. “That is no longer the case since there are no American workers willing to fill our jobs. In fact, American families are the ones adversely affected, as agriculture’s workforce crisis will drive food prices even higher. If nothing changes, there will most certainly be sharp decreases in production affecting not only farmers and farmworkers, but the rural communities in which we operate who depend on agriculture.”
Lytch continued, speaking on the labor challenges facing growers including recent regulations impacting H-2A visa users and the need for agriculture immigration reform. During his testimony, Lytch highlighted the important role that the foreign workforce plays in American agriculture and keeping the food supply chain running and stressed the major concerns with incoming regulations around wages being paid based on job function.
Chalmers Carr, President of USA Farmers and IFPA Member, also testified at the hearing.
“Today, we have a substantial shortage of both domestic and foreign workers electing to work in agriculture,” said Carr. “This in part at least helps explain why food prices are increasing at 4-to-5 times the normal inflation rate, outpacing many other sectors of the economy. In order to right the ship and ensure that the United States once again meets its own domestic food needs, as well as the needs of other around the world, we need to address the agricultural labor crisis here at home.”
The full committee hearing was led by Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Click here to read more testimonies from members of the IFPA.
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