UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

February 6, 2008

Deputy U.S. Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner said Wednesday farmers will welcome the proposed changes in rules for hiring foreign migrant workers.

Because farmers are tied to the land and the natural cycles of growth and harvest, their need for labor is urgent and non-negotiable, Conner said.

The changes in the H-2A program that allows U.S. farmers to hire foreign workers include reducing the time the employer must apply for hiring certifications from 60 to 45 days before the date of hiring and reducing the time they need to have proper housing in place from 30 to 15 days before the date of hiring.

For some farmers the changes eliminate the requirement that they attempt to hire domestic workers.

Conner estimated the agricultural workforce peaks in July at 1.2 million workers. But, many farmers have been avoiding the H-2A program.

The H-2A program is legalizing fewer than 10 percent of eligible workers. And that is simply not acceptable, he said.