White House discussions encourage produce industry members

White House discussions encourage produce industry members

A roundtable discussion at the White House April 25 with President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue left Maureen Torrey, co-owner of Torrey Farms, Elba, N.Y., encouraged that the administration will listen to concerns of the fresh produce industry.
 
Maureen Torrey joined 13 other agriculture leaders as part of a Farmers Roundtable at the White House to discuss improving American agriculture.
 
“I believe the president appreciates how important agriculture is to the overall well-being of this country,” Torrey said in a news release. 
 
Torrey said in the release that Trump made it clear he expects Perdue to be active in addressing agriculture’s policy priorities.
 
The roundtable covered administration initiatives on farm labor, regulations, trade and infrastructure, she said in the release.
 
“It was encouraging to hear him tell Secretary Perdue that, with respect to immigration enforcement, workers who are here and have not caused any problems, but have been productive workers, should not have anything to fear,” Torrey said in the release. “I was also pleased to hear him acknowledge that the current federal ag guest worker program, H-2A, is broken and needs fixing.”
 
The discussion was followed by the president’s executive order establishing an interagency task force to examine a wide range of issues affecting the quality of life in rural America.
 
The Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity will consist of representatives of agencies across the federal government and is required to issue its recommendations within 180 days, according to the release.
 
“This initiative has got the potential to have a tremendous impact on the ability of fresh fruit and vegetable providers to be in business,” Robert Guenther, United Fresh Produce Association senior vice president for public policy, said in the release. “That’s why United Fresh will be engaging with the task force and other policymakers and officials to ensure the priorities of the fresh produce industry are part of the task force report.”
 
Perdue will be chairman of the task force, which includes officials from 22 federal agencies, including the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and others.
 
The executive order said the task force should identify policy or regulatory changes that promote agriculture’s growth. 
 
According to the executive order, some of the policy goals of the task force will be to:
  • Ensure access to a workforce and increase employment opportunities in agriculture and rural businesses;
  • Promote preservation of family farms and other agribusiness operations as they are passed down;
  • Promote water users’ private property rights when securing permits to operate on public lands;
  • Improve food safety and ensure federal food safety laws are science-based; and 
  • Encourage the production and export of domestic agricultural products.
 

 

Latest News

How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards
How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards

In this podcast episode, Advanced Agriscience's Collin Juurakko shares interesting discoveries he's made about how frost crystals form and how that lead to a potential solution for tree-fruit growers across the globe.

Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show
Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show

North Kansas City, Mo.-based Cool Creations LLC had two new products to show off at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division
Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division

Following Department of Justice concerns about competition in the packaged salad market, the companies have abandoned the proposed $308 million deal.

Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list
Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list

Fresh Del Monte is among the honorees on the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 list, recognized for a commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation in fresh produce.

Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring
Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring

West Mexico growers faced a tough fall/winter season, but distributors believe things are looking up for spring with increased supplies and more reasonable prices.

What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar
What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar

"Impact Retail Foodservice 2024" will gather industry experts to discuss opportunities and challenges, as well as share insights for driving growth in the year ahead in one of the hottest departments in grocery.