Bipartisan action is urged to tackle labor shortages, regulatory hurdles, and trade barriers threatening America’s agricultural future
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has called on Congress to take decisive bipartisan action to address the labor, regulatory, and economic challenges jeopardizing the future of U.S. fresh produce.
Speaking out on February 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., IFPA’s urgent plea comes at a time when American growers face mounting difficulties that threaten not only their profitability but also the nation’s food security and global leadership in fresh produce production.
At the heart of this appeal is the testimony of Bret Erickson, senior vice president of business affairs at Little Bear Produce, who represented both his company and IFPA during a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing.
“The fresh produce sector contributes $28 billion annually to the U.S. agricultural economy and plays a vital role in promoting public health. Labor costs now make up more than 50 percent and in some cases, a significantly higher percentage of the total expenses for fresh produce growers and these costs are steadily rising.”
Bret Erickson, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, Little Bear Produce
His remarks highlighted the critical economic impact of the industry, while also drawing attention to the operational challenges that growers are increasingly encountering.
Erickson’s testimony was aimed at galvanizing lawmakers to implement reforms that would relieve pressure on an industry already buckling under significant labor shortages, rising operational costs, and cumbersome regulatory frameworks.
Central to Erickson’s argument was the persistent agricultural labor crisis.
The shortage of reliable, legal farm labor has been a persistent issue that imperils domestic food production.
Erickson urged lawmakers to collaborate with the administration to reform the H-2A visa program and streamline its processes, suggesting that adjustments to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) could better reflect current market conditions.
In addition to labor concerns, Erickson called for substantial investments through the next farm bill to secure the future of specialty crop production.
He emphasized the need for increased federal funding to support research and development in mechanization and automation for these crops.
Moreover, he pointed out the critical gap in affordable crop insurance and risk management tools available to fresh produce growers.
“The next farm bill must invest robustly and more equitably in specialty crop production to maintain a reliable, affordable domestic food supply,” he remarked.
This plea for enhanced support in the farm bill reflects the broader goal of creating a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding economic and environmental pressures.
Another significant issue raised during the hearing involved the regulatory challenges that have disrupted the fresh produce sector’s access to essential crop protection tools.
Erickson criticized recent shifts in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory process, stating, “In recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory process has been in disarray and dysfunction from adverse legal decisions and political paralysis.”
He argued that for agriculture to remain a cornerstone of the national economy, farmers must be guaranteed federal commitment to ensuring that products to control damaging pests are both safe and readily available.
This sentiment echoes the broader concerns of the industry, where regulatory uncertainty is seen as a major obstacle to innovation and competitiveness.
He pointed out that non-tariff trade barriers are putting U.S. specialty crop growers at a significant disadvantage in international markets.
To counter these challenges, IFPA has urged Congress to fully fund USDA programs that support agricultural exports through the Trade and Foreign Agriculture Agency.
This recommendation is part of a broader strategy to bolster the U.S. agricultural sector’s competitiveness on a global scale, ensuring that American growers can continue to thrive despite the evolving international trade landscape.
