Agricultural News
Ag Labor Deal Reached That Could Allow Immigration Bill Movement
Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:26:35 CDT
An agreement was reached on Friday by lawmakers, the Ag Workforce Coalition and the union that represents some farm workers, the United Farm Workers Union. The following statement was released by the Coalition after word of the deal was released:
"The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) today welcomed an agreement on immigration reform reached by the AWC, the United Farm Workers (UFW) and key Senators engaged in the process. The framework and objectives of this agreement represent a positive step toward providing America's farmers and ranchers access to a legal workforce now and in the future.
"The coalition is committed to including an agricultural guest worker program and supporting the general framework negotiated in any final immigration reform package. As members of Congress begin the process of drafting legislative language, we look forward to working with them to ensure that the bill details reflect the goals and intent of this framework agreement.
"The AWC appreciates the efforts of Senators Dianne Feinstein, Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch and Michael Bennet in helping to foster this agreement between agriculture employers and farm workers.
"For many farmers across the country, finding a sufficient number of workers to harvest crops or care for animals is the biggest challenge they face in running their businesses. There is a shortage of U.S. workers willing and able to perform farm work. Securing a reliable and competent workforce for our nation's farms and ranches is essential to ensuring that American consumers continue to enjoy abundant and affordable food on their grocery store shelves."
Also releasing a statement shortly after the framework agreeement was announced was the President of the American Farm Bureau, Bob Stallman. Stallman offered the following praise for the deal:
"The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) today welcomed an agreement on immigration reform reached by the AWC, the United Farm Workers (UFW) and key Senators engaged in the process. The framework and objectives of this agreement represent a positive step toward providing America's farmers and ranchers access to a legal workforce now and in the future.
"The coalition is committed to including an agricultural guest worker program and supporting the general framework negotiated in any final immigration reform package. As members of Congress begin the process of drafting legislative language, we look forward to working with them to ensure that the bill details reflect the goals and intent of this framework agreement.
"The AWC appreciates the efforts of Senators Dianne Feinstein, Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch and Michael Bennet in helping to foster this agreement between agriculture employers and farm workers.
"For many farmers across the country, finding a sufficient number of workers to harvest crops or care for animals is the biggest challenge they face in running their businesses. There is a shortage of U.S. workers willing and able to perform farm work. Securing a reliable and competent workforce for our nation's farms and ranches is essential to ensuring that American consumers continue to enjoy abundant and affordable food on their grocery store shelves."
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