FFVA News Release, FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE

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Lisa Lochridge
FFVA Director of Public Affairs
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FFVA APPLAUDS FLORIDA LAWMAKERS FOR ROLE IN AGJOBS BILL
Immigration reform measure is critical in solving acute labor shortage

MAITLAND, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2007) - The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association today praised members of Florida's congressional delegation for their role in Wednesday's introduction of the Agriculture Job Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act, known as AgJOBS, in Washington, D.C.

The measure is key to helping solve the agriculture industry's critical labor needs, said FFVA President Mike Stuart. "This isn't just an issue for Florida; it's an issue for our nation. Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform to ensure a sufficient legal workforce to plant and harvest America's food supply," he said. "Our hats off to our senators and representatives for understanding that and taking action. We urge them to work hard toward passage of the bill."

The bipartisan proposal was announced at a morning press conference led by Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Representatives George Radanovich (R-Calif.) and Howard Berman (D-Calif). Original co-sponsors of the bill -
passed by the Senate last May - include Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, and Representatives Adam Putnam, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Alan Boyd.

AgJOBS restructures the current cumbersome and ineffective H-2A temporary worker program by:

Substantially streamlining it, including eliminating the labor certification process
Reforming the requirements for H-2A employers, including an immediate reduction and gradual elimination of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate
Streamlining the process for admission of H-2A workers
Allowing workers not currently in the program to acquire H-2A status

AgJOBS includes provisions to allow workers who have made a substantial commitment to agriculture work in the United States to earn an adjustment to their legal status by meeting strict requirements.

Without comprehensive immigration and guest worker reform, the labor shortage will continue. "That means leaving fruit and vegetable crops in the fields," Stuart said. "Consequently, production will shift offshore, which means we will become more dependent on imports for our food supply."

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (www.ffva.com) is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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