The American Farm Bureau Federation is studying the Department of Labor’s H2A proposal announced earlier this week. The proposal claims to streamline the H2A application process, strengthen protections for workers and expand enforcement tools. It comes on the heels of legislation introduced by Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford that would make similar changes. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says an ag labor fix is badly needed and Crawford’s bill is a step in the right direction.

He says the immigration and ag labor issue is a tough one that Farm Bureau will comment on.

VanderWal says the main fix that’s needed is making sure there’s a stable force of workers that are in the country legally.

A comment period on the nearly 500 page rule is scheduled to close in September.