FFVA Urges H-2A Processing During Government Shutdown

The  Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently urged the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to authorize the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to continue processing H-2A labor certifications during the government shutdown.

An Oct. 17 letter from FFVA Director of Labor Relations Jamie Fussell stated that delays in H-2A certifications caused by the shutdown imminently threaten agricultural production, potentially leading to significant crop loss for Florida producers.

The letter noted that producers have significant investments in their crops before harvest ever begins — upwards of $30,000 per acre for some commodities. If growers are unable to harvest, these investments will not be recovered.

The letter also stated:

“Fruit and vegetable production is labor intensive and requires harvesting by hand due to the perishable nature of the crops produced. Florida is dependent on the H-2A program for a stable and legal seasonal workforce and is the largest user of the H-2A program nationwide with around 50,000 positions certified annually. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Florida represents nearly one-third of all H-2A certifications nationwide.

“If the USDOL does not quickly resume certifying H-2A applications, 40% of Florida’s annual H-2A workforce may not arrive in time for harvest. If the shutdown lasts through November, it may be February before workers arrive. For Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers, that’s too late.”

The letter concludes with a request that the USDOL’s processing of H-2A labor certification applications be considered an activity essential to protect property.

“Congress understood the critical importance of workers being available to meet narrow harvest windows when it prescribed a strict time frame by which USDOL must approve labor certifications,” wrote Fussell. “We urge the Office of Management and Budget to follow suit and take immediate steps to authorize USDOL to continue processing H-2A labor certifications, even while the shutdown persists. Doing so will protect vital agricultural production from potential crop loss and the ensuing financial harm to producers.”

Source: FFVA