Newark, Del. — Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of Produce Marketing Association (PMA), issued the following statement in response to news of an agreement to reform U.S. immigration and agricultural guest worker programs:
“After more than a decade of work by our industry, we welcome immigration reform legislation from the U.S. Senate’s “gang of eight.” Thanks to the efforts of Senators Feinstein, Rubio, Hatch, and Bennet, and the round-the-clock work of industry leaders including Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers, Chuck Conner, president & CEO of National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and PMA board member Mike Stuart, president of Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. The Senate legislation addresses the critical workforce needs of American agriculture, now and into the future.
“The agreement addresses key issues of importance to the produce industry, including:
- Allowing farm workers currently in the country illegally to earn legal U.S. residency by fulfilling a future work requirement in agriculture, among other conditions.
- Creating a new guest worker program specifically for the agriculture sector.“That said, we aren’t quite ready to declare the work is done. On behalf of our members, PMA will continue to work through the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, of which we are an executive committee member, and the Agricultural Workforce Coalition. The Senate will now consider this agreement as part of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.”
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing business solutions that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)