Romney tells Western Growers states should have visa power
November 08, 2011 | 06:47 PM | Filed in: Labor Rural America
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Monday that he would give the states authority to issue visas for farm workers, reported Western Growers, a large association of Arizona and California growers, packers and shippers.
“I am committed to having enough workers to get our economy going and [keep] businesses in business,” Romney said in a telephone call to the board of directors during Western Growers’ annual meeting in San Diego, the group said in a news release. Romney added that he plans to give states the power to secure adequate visas for agricultural workers, the release said.
“Romney reassured farmers who are currently facing serious challenges securing a legal, stable work force to produce the fresh food America depends on,” Western Growers said, adding that the group has not endorsed any presidential candidates and typically does not make endorsements until after the primaries.
Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif told Romney during the call that the fresh produce industry’s companies are expanding overseas instead of in the United States, and Romney replied that he would “go after regulations” and reduce the federal work force, the release said.
The job for regulators “is also to encourage growth of industry,” Romney said during the call. “That’s what regulators should be doing.”
Romney said he wants to reinforce American industries that are competitive such as agriculture, the release said.
Western Growers’ members from Arizona and California grow, pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and 75 percent of those commodities in Arizona, about half the nation’s produce.
“I am committed to having enough workers to get our economy going and [keep] businesses in business,” Romney said in a telephone call to the board of directors during Western Growers’ annual meeting in San Diego, the group said in a news release. Romney added that he plans to give states the power to secure adequate visas for agricultural workers, the release said.
“Romney reassured farmers who are currently facing serious challenges securing a legal, stable work force to produce the fresh food America depends on,” Western Growers said, adding that the group has not endorsed any presidential candidates and typically does not make endorsements until after the primaries.
Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif told Romney during the call that the fresh produce industry’s companies are expanding overseas instead of in the United States, and Romney replied that he would “go after regulations” and reduce the federal work force, the release said.
The job for regulators “is also to encourage growth of industry,” Romney said during the call. “That’s what regulators should be doing.”
Romney said he wants to reinforce American industries that are competitive such as agriculture, the release said.
Western Growers’ members from Arizona and California grow, pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and 75 percent of those commodities in Arizona, about half the nation’s produce.
