The National Pork Producers Council is urging Congress to address Comprehensive Ag Labor Reform. The group testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing this week on the issue. NPPC’s Manager of Competition, Labor and Tax Issues Jack Detiveaux says several sectors of agriculture are facing a shortage of workers with year round laborers badly needed in both the pork and dairy industries.

He says there needs to be legislation passed to address ag labor concerns and making sure there’s year-round access in the H2A visa program. Detiveaux says a measure passed by the House is a good starting point that the Senate should consider.

Detiveaux says while the committee agreed on the need for ag labor reform there was some disagreement over how to get there.

Detiveaux hopes this hearing will spur the Senate to move forward on positive ag labor reform to address the concerns of agriculture.