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Ag groups rally behind Thompson’s farm labor bill

Several agriculture groups are in support of a new ag labor bill introduced by House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson this week.

In a press conference, National Milk Producers Federation CEO Gregg Doud said the dairy industry has never had access to the H-2A program, and this bill potentially opens the door.

“Without help, the cows don’t get milked. And when the cows don’t get milked, they go to town. Some of you say, well, that means they’re going to the train station. That’s exactly right. That’s where they go, and that’s the end of the road for the dairy farm,” says Doud. “We have to have labor in this country, and for the first time, this bill gets us there.”

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said a lack of reliable ag labor is the reason he had to quit the dairy business and start poultry farming 20 years ago.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made in my life,” says Duvall. “To quit doing what you and your father and your grandfather did before you is a very difficult decision.”

The Securing Agriculture Workforce Labor Act focuses on faster, more flexible H-2A processing for farms, proposes broader access to H-2A workers, addresses wages and focuses on ways to streamline the program’s administration.

A bipartisan ag working group, formed during the previous Congress, has provided recommendations on the legislation. Thompson says it also has had input from several lawmakers.

Kristi Boswell, legal counsel for U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc., tells Brownfield about 70 percent of the custom harvester workforce uses the program, and appreciates the additional clarification for a program that’s been known as a regulatory roller coaster.

“What rules are going to change? What’s how much is it going to cost this year? Are there going to be delays in getting our workers? This bill through lowering costs, clarifying the definitions and by creating flexibilities in the administration of the program, it will help H-2A serve the stakeholders better.”

The bill has been introduced ahead of the August recess and is expected to be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. Thompson told reporters there is an appetite to advance the bill.

“I don’t think this is our first rodeo addressing food security and national security through agriculture, and so I’m anticipating a good outcome on this,” says Thompson.

Additional ag groups supporting the legislation include the International Fresh Produce Association, Ag Retailers Association, National Council of Ag Employers and others.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Kristi Boswell.