WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is issuing a call to action for its members. The organization has announced its support for the Supporting Farm Operations Act (HR 7046), a recent measure to address wage relief.

“Out-of-control labor costs are already dampening domestic fresh produce production, so we know that additional increases would have a devastating impact on the entire supply chain," said Cathy Burns, Chief Executive Officer. "Congressman’s Moolenaar’s common-sense legislation freezes AEWR increases for two years, giving immediate relief and enough certainty for our industry to perform while Congress works on broader reforms that will bring stability to our labor force and long-term food security for our nation.”

According to a press release, the legislation freezes the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), the wage rate that must be paid to H-2A Visa holders and their domestic counterparts. IFPA is urging members to contact their Members of Congress to co-sponsor this bill.

While the act doesn’t address the full scope of IFPA’s demand for reform on labor, it does provide immediate and meaningful relief that Congress can pass today.

“This Bill is not everything we need, but it is a necessary step, and one that Congress can, and must, take to provide immediate relief to farmers across the country,” said Director of U.S. Government Relations John Hollay. “Congress has failed for more than four decades to address the agriculture labor crisis. While we will continue to push for the system-wide reform that is needed, this bill can provide immediate relief and ensure that we do not lose any more farms across America.”

In recent years, the H-2A labor program has increasingly filled labor needs for producers in the specialty crop industry when Americans are unwilling to fill available jobs. All H-2A workers are paid in accordance with the AEWR, and over the last decade alone, the average rate has grown at twice the rate of inflation.

The IFPA is calling on all members to tell their Member of Congress to Co-Sponsor the bill by submitting a letter of support on the Advocacy Action page.

We applaud the IFPA and its members for championing this important work.