The National Potato Council joined 445 agricultural trade associations, agribusinesses, and farmer co-ops yesterday on a letter to Senate leaders urging the passage of an agriculture workforce reform bill this Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAmerican farmers and consumers need the U.S. Senate to pass farmworker visa reform this year,\u201d the groups state. \u201cFrom the COVID-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine, the range of challenges we currently face reiterates that our national security is tied to our ability to feed ourselves, and that ability is currently under threat due to the agricultural workforce crisis across America\u2019s farms and agribusinesses. The domestic workforce shortage remains one of the greatest challenges impacting our farmers today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The groups noted that reform is critical to address the highest inflation in 40 years experienced by U.S. producers, workers, and consumers alike. According to a recent study by Texas A&M International University, immigration and ag labor reform can be linked with lower consumer prices for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n