H-2A Rule Change Proposals Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. H-2A rule changes proposed last year are getting plenty of push-back from ag groups that see them as bias against growers.
Northwest Horticultural Council’s Senior Vice President, Kate Tynan says violations of these proposed rules would discontinue employment services to a grower …
TYNAN … “Which is a minimum of a 20-day process to actually petition to regain access to those programs. So, if that happens at the wrong time of year, that threatens access for the grower. And they take it a step further and also apply this to agents.”
Which, Tynan says spreads the punishment …
TYNAN … “So even if the grower themselves hasn’t done anything wrong, they might not be able to fulfill their commitments to the H-2A program because of something that another entity did.”
So, Tynan says they’re working on it …
TYNAN … “The Northwest Horticultural Council submitted significant comments on both of these rules. We’re working with folks throughout the country who share many of these concerns. There’s been a number of conversations with attorneys to see whether there might be any action along those lines once a final rule is proposed.”
And if that doesn’t work …
TYNAN … “We’re also talking with our members of Congress to just try to get across the message that the methods that are being proposed within these two rules could have significant implications for growers throughout their districts and are hoping maybe they’ll be able to also help push back against these two agencies.”
Ask if she thought anyone was listening, Tyson says, in
Congress, yes, but within the administration, not so much.
