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No resolution on ag labor reform

The National Potato Council is disappointed Congress couldn’t reach an agreement on ag labor reform in the lame duck session. CEO Kam Quarles says it was too heavy of a lift to include in the year-end spending package.

“The second part: unfortunately, agriculture was divided again on the needs for ag labor reform. We’ve had three major efforts at this in the last almost 20 years: 2005, 2013 and 2022.”

Quarles is not optimistic ag labor reform will be possible in 2023.

“The makeup of Congress has changed a lot in the last 20 to 30 years. The solution for agriculture, I think, hasn’t changed very much. The problem is getting the votes, that’s been incredibly difficult.”

Quarles tells Brownfield without ag labor reform, H-2A wage requirements in the new year may make it more difficult for U.S. farms to compete for farm help.

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