HANOVER (Pennsylvania) EVENING SUN

March 10, 2006

Impact of farmer lobbying uncertain

By TIM PRATT

Evening Sun Staff

Gardners fruit grower John Peters doesn't know if the two days he spent lobbying for a guest worker program will do any good.

Peters and nearly 200 other Pennsylvania farmers returned Thursday from Washington where the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau held its 2006 National Legislative Conference this week.

Farmers met with federal lawmakers and pushed for a variety of issues. But primarily they were asking that a program granting temporary worker status to immigrants already here be included in immigration reform.

"We spoke with (U.S. Rep) Todd Platts," said Peters. "He indicated to us that he was supportive of the border enforcement bill, but recognizes the need for guest workers."

"I think he has some strong feelings on the issue," Peters continued. "I'm not sure that we swayed him from those feelings, but he's aware of the effect it could have on producers."

The legislation in question is the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December.

The new legislation, among other things, would require employers to use an employment eligibility verification system to ensure new and current employees are legally present in the United States.

Farmers and growers from all over the state made the trip south to speak out against the legislation they say would negatively affect the hiring practices in an industry that relies heavily on migrant workers.

Peters said Platts, R-Spring Garden Township, took the time to listen to farmers. But the farmers were unable to tell if their concerns would have any effect on future legislation.

He hopes they will.

"The bill would be devastating in Pennsylvania and around the country. It doesn't recognize the economic benefits of the people that are here and the tremendous role they play in our economy," Peters said.

Peters employs around 100 migrant workers on his orchard in upper Adams County.

"Most agriculture uses migrant workers where there is hand labor involved," Peters said. "We do not have domestic workers that would do the jobs at the wages we pay. It would be way too expensive."

Peters said the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau holds the conference every year and they encourage as many people as possible to attend.

"We make the trip once a year, with everybody," Peters said. "We try to get Farm Bureau members from every congressman's district to go."

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Michael Johanns and U.S. Republican Sen. Rick Santorum were among those who also spoke with the farmers.

Other issues that farmers addressed with lawmakers included the 2007 Farm Bill, elimination of the federal estate tax (death taxes) and development of natural gas resources.

But those issues pale in comparison to the guest worker issues, which Peters said is crucial to the livelihood of farmers and growers everywhere.

"We really need something," he said.