IRVINE, CA - Western Growers Association, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, and the Agricultural Council of California have released a joint statement in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order. This order extends temporary workers’ compensation benefits for COVID-19.

The statement reads as follows:

As a critical infrastructure industry, agricultural businesses have been asked to continue providing our communities with safe and nutritious food during the COVID-19 crisis, and their employees—deemed essential by every level of government—have been asked to continue their critically important work. Agricultural employers have responded by enacting extraordinary measures to protect their employees and the public, all while struggling with major supply chain disruptions.

This executive order will add more financial weight at a very difficult time. Instead, if the goal is to restart California’s economy, then the added economic burden of medical claims related to COVID-19 should be borne by the government, not the essential industries providing a public good during a global pandemic.

Amid tremendous uncertainty, the agricultural community is working to protect the health and safety of our essential workforce while we continue a vital mission to grow, harvest, pack, process, and ship hundreds of nutritious California commodities for families in our state and across the country.

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep the industry up-to-date on the latest news regarding COVID-19 and fresh produce.

Western Growers Association California Fresh Fruit AssociationCalifornia Farm Bureau Federation Agricultural Council of California