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Falls Church, Va. (March 18, 2021)—The U.S. Apple Association today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act with a strong bipartisan vote of 247-174.
“We commend Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., for their commitment to this meaningful ag labor reform,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. “The legislation will stabilize the current agricultural workforce by creating a process for them to gain work authorization to continue working in agriculture. It also brings needed modernization and cost containment to the H-2A agricultural guestworker program.”
Each year growers across the country face uncertainty as to whether there will be sufficient labor to harvest the crop. The current system causes an unstable situation for not only apple growers, but for all farmers who depend on immigrant labor. Because of the labor intensity required in the apple industry, USApple has long been a leading proponent of stabilizing and legalizing a reliable workforce.
The organization noted with appreciation that most representatives from apple states voted in favor of the bill.
As the legislation moves to the Senate, USApple will work with its Senate champions to seek further improvements to the H-2A program.
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Falls Church, Va. (May 26, 2022)—The U.S. Apple Association today joined more than 40 agriculture and food groups to call for the elimination or reduction of U.S. tariffs being imposed on other countries that in turn are harming U.S. agriculture through retaliatory tariffs. In a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the groups … Continued
Falls Church, Va. (March 9, 2022)—The U.S. Apple Association today launched Apple Quest, an online game that informs players about the important role apple laborers play in the U.S. economy and the need for a stable, legal and reliable workforce. The throwback, 8-bit single-player game is at www.USAppleQuest.com. Apple production—growing, pruning, harvesting and packing—is highly labor-intensive. The … Continued
Falls Church, Va. (Nov. 30, 2021)—Following the start to agricultural trade negotiations last week at the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum in New Delhi, the U.S. Apple Association today said more needs to be done to ensure U.S. apple growers can once again compete in the Indian market. Since the U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and … Continued
Statement by Jim Bair,President & CEO U.S. Apple AssociationRe: Easing of Tariffs on EU ImportsNovember 2, 2021 “This weekend’s announcement that the Biden Administration will ease tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union should be congratulated as good news. Hopefully this will be the first step in helping reclaim market share for … Continued
Falls Church, Va. (Sept. 9, 2021)— Many U.S. apple businesses won’t qualify for Critical COVID-relief assistance that was announced today by the Agriculture Department, said the U.S. Apple Association. The $700 million Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program is intended to support businesses that incurred worker housing and transportation costs, as well as personal … Continued
Chicago (August 19, 2021)—While the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the apple industry up and down the supply chain, it has also presented unique opportunities, according to a new report released by the U.S. Apple Association today at the organization’s 126th annual Outlook Conference. Considering these opportunities, and despite a challenging 18 months, apple production is … Continued
Chicago (August 19, 2021)—The U.S. Apple Association today kicked off its 126th annual Outlook Conference in Chicago. The in-person, two-day meeting will showcase growers, apple business leaders, and a full range of high-profile speakers and topics. USApple is one of the first agriculture associations to resume in-person conferences since COVID-19 began. “Outlook attendance numbers show … Continued
Falls Church, Va. (July 6, 2021)—During a stop in Northern Michigan this weekend President Biden visited grower and former Young Apple Leader Juliette King McAvoy of King Orchards in Central Lake. Joining the President were Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters. Stabenow chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. They talked about big … Continued
