(AFBF) — The U.S. State Department clarified its ban on non-citizens entering the United States from South Africa. A Biden administration proclamation suspended travel from several countries due to COVID-19 concerns. The State Department clarified that agriculture workers entering the U.S. qualify for national interest exceptions on a case-by-case basis. The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to Secretary …
Secretary Perdue Statement on H-2A Modernization
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a statement applauding the Department of Labor’s final rule modernizing the H-2A visa program: “This final rule streamlining and modernizing the H-2A visa process will go a long way in ensuring American farmers have access to a stable and skilled workforce, all while removing unnecessary bureaucratic processes. USDA’s goal is to help …
Federal Judge Rejects Changes to H-2A Program
A federal court in California issued a preliminary injunction against the Labor Department’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those that use the H-2A Guestworker Program. Fruit and Nut Grower News says the freeze would effectively lower the wages of several hundred thousand guest farm workers employed by U.S. farmers. A preliminary injunction was issued in federal court in …
FMCSA Extends Hours of Service Waivers into 2021
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently made another announcement related to Hours-of-Service (HOS). The FMCSA has issued an extended and expanded national emergency declaration in response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. Another round of HOS waivers has been issued to help ensure the timely delivery of necessary items. The previous extension of …
Effort to Make Ag Workers a Top Vaccine Priority
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) on Dec. 2 urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to include agricultural workers among the state’s top priorities for the COVID-19 vaccine allocation. The request was similar to one various national-level food industry organizations made to President Donald Trump in November. “We understand the state has begun preparations for the rollout of the initial …
U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2.1 Million Jobs
Economic Impact Up 15 Percent in Two Years Updated study quantifies the economic impact of the poultry industry in the United States NCC — The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, …
Supreme Court to Hear Ag Union Case
The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear a challenge to a California law that allows employee unions to trespass on private property. California law requires agriculture producers to open their property and businesses to union activists. Pacific Legal Foundation attorneys, who represent the companies filing the suit, claim that unauthorized union activities disrupt business operations and take property …
More COVID-19 Tests for Florida Ag Workers
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced updates to COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry, Miami-Dade, Collier and St. Lucie counties for farmworkers. The effort to provide access to no-cost testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and county governments. Testing services will continue as …
Injuries and Illnesses in Poultry Processing Fall Below All Manufacturing for First Time
(NCC) — The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within the poultry sector’s slaughter and processing workforce has fallen below all manufacturing for the first time since the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began recording injuries and illnesses information in 1994. The total recordable poultry processing illness and injury rate for 2019 was 3.2 cases per 100 …
UF/IFAS, FDACS seek help in spreading the word on COVID-19 testing to Florida agricultural workers
(UF/IFAS) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourage as many agricultural workers as possible to be tested for COVID-19. Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Below is a list of upcoming sites. Support for …