The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today applauded legislation introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) that would address the labor crisis being faced by farmers and ranchers across the country. The bill, titled the Safe and Affordable Food Act, provides stability for our existing workers and makes key reforms to the H-2A program, the visa program producers use to hire legal temporary workers to supplement the available U.S. workforce.
“American agriculture is being threatened to its very core by labor shortages and skyrocketing labor costs. You simply cannot call yourself a friend of the American farmer and not be involved in fixing this problem,” said NCFC President and CEO Chuck Conner at a press conference announcing the legislation this morning. “The legislation being proposed by Senator Bennet this morning is a compromise, but it represents a huge win for American agriculture with real and tangible help to the American farmer, rancher, and grower. It should be passed immediately.”
Conner urged the Senate to pass the bill before the end of the year, since without action this Congress, ag labor reform will be off the table for years to come while the labor crisis and its devastating impact on farmers continues.
“No one from either side of the political aisle disagrees on the solution to this problem,” Conner concluded. “Why wait? Do not delay! Act now in support of American agriculture!”
