<p><strong>Washington, D.C.</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> United Fresh Produce Association has released exclusive policy statements from the campaigns of President Obama and Governor Romney on top produce industry priorities. The association asked questions on behalf of the industry to both campaigns on immigration, regulation, the Farm Bill, taxes, food safety and nutrition to help members make the best choice in the November presidential election.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Ray Gilmer, Vice President of Communications for United Fresh, stated, “It’s not often that we hear President Obama or Governor Romney speak specifically about produce industry issues, so these responses to United’s questions are especially important in the final months of the campaign."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Both candidates were asked what their plans were to eclipse the rhetoric that had dominated this debate. Obama touched on plans to enact comprehensive immigration reform. He commented, "Our immigration system has been broken for too long. I believe in comprehensive reform that strengthens our economy and reflects our values as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. I support legislation—that until recently had bipartisan support—that would invest in border security, hold employers accountable, demand responsibility from undocumented immigrants while creating a path to legal status, and reform the legal immigration system to attract the best and brightest and keep families together."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Romney spoke of the ways in which he would make immigration an easier process for farmers. Mr. Romney noted, "A legal immigration system that works will provide a lawful alternative to workers who would otherwise enter illegally and employers who face the choice of either turning to illegal labor or reducing operations."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> On the subject of agriculture regulation, both candidates gave their response on the issue of regulation and the roles of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency in terms of horticulture. Both men are strong advocates of the industry but Romney was more critical of current state of things, explaining "Too often, issues such as land and water use, air quality, and resource access are dictated by staff level actions and initiatives, or by NGOs that sue the EPA to force a settlement they deem appropriate for farmers. All of these activities occur with very little input from key stakeholders, including farmers, or with full transparency in the decisionmaking process."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Obama noted that agriculture had been one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S. economy during his time in office. He included that trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea had created tens of thousands of jobs by helping to increase exports. Obama commented, "Under my leadership, agriculture has been one of the fastest-growing parts of our economy, creating one out of every 12 American jobs."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The candidates were asked to weigh farm policy issues, how they perceived the fruit & vegetable industry participating in the debate and crafting a 21st Century agriculture policy. They were also asked if they would work to maintain those investments in specialty crops and what they believe is the role of specialty crops in America’s future agriculture policy. Obama's response noted the importance of specialty crops as “vital components” for the health and well-being of the nation, with fruits, vegetables nuts and similar products also being huge contributers to the economy.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Romney took the approach that the U.S. agriculture policy was evolving away from decades of government intervention and subsidies towards a more market-based system. He noted that he would pursue pro-trade policies encouraging all governments to promote free and fair competition. He also noted that he "recognizes that the United States cannot remove government assistance for American farmers in a global marketplace where other nations continue to heavily subsidize their own producers."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> For information on the views presented for taxes, food safety, and nutrition, follow the link below.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://bit.ly/UnitedCandidates" target="_new">United Fresh </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
