A recent decision by the U.S. State Department to stop processing many H-2A visa applications in Mexico as U.S. embassies and consulates are being temporarily closed will make it much harder for American farmers to keep the country supplied with food if they do not have enough labor, according the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall.
“American farmers will not have access to the skilled immigrant labor needed at this critical time of planting season and harvesting our spring crops,” Duvall said. “We are urging the administration to find a safe and practical way to admit farm laborers as emergency workers for visas, while still protecting the public health. Failing to do so will impact our ability to provide a healthy, affordable food supply.”
The group is also monitoring the situation relative to U.S. food supplies, trying to ensure “U.S. agriculture and others in the food supply chain are able to continue feeding America, just like we do 365 days a year.” Even as some shortages are appearing in grocery stores, Duvall said the group wants to assure consumers “farmers and ranchers nationwide are continuing to produce the food we all rely on.”
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