Election may favor immigration reform, say experts
Election may favor immigration reform, say experts
WASHINGTON -- Washington insiders affiliated with the produce industry say that the first test for a Democrat-controlled Congress and White House may be whether immigration reform ranks high on next year's agenda.
"It's hard to say what the new majority in Congress will do," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association, based here, told The Produce News. But the first litmus test may be who sets the agenda among leaders in the White House, Senate and House and whether there's a strong commitment to tackle immigration reform, he said.
There's a window of opportunity as President-elect Barack Obama (D-IL) has endorsed immigration reform in the past. Mr. Guenther said that he hopes Congress starts addressing immigration reform by late spring or early summer. The issue may gain momentum next year as Democrats move to solidify their new Hispanic base, which backed Mr. Obama on Nov. 4, he added.
"I think the new Democrat-led Congress and White House will be extremely positive for immigration reform," said Nancy Foster, president of the U.S. Apple Association. Without access to a reliable labor force, the apple industry has suffered like other labor-intensive agriculture industries.
It's unclear, though, with the souring economy and looming foreign policy issues where the industry's quest for a stable and legal workforce may land on the priority list. Everyone will want a piece of the pie next year. Farm bill spending priorities secured last year for specialty crops will need to be defended in a tough economic climate, warned Mr. Guenther.
While a Democrat-controlled Washington may favor nutrition policies, it is also more likely to enact new food-safety legislation. "I think it will happen," said Ms. Foster, whose group favors a risk-based approach to changing food-safety rules.
There is opposition to any food-safety bill that depends on food industry taxes to finance it, said Mr. Guenther. In a tight economy, there are questions about who will pay for food-safety reform. Another food-safety crisis could move it up on the agenda list, however.
One advocate for the apple industry will not return to Congress next year. Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY) was a "strong friend of the apple industry. We are saddened by his loss," said Ms. Foster. "We believe the new person representing that district will still care about apple growers."
Two senators who have been champions for the specialty crop industry were locked in races too close to call when the Nov. 10 issue of The Produce News went to press.
Incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the leading Republican on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, was leading by a slim margin against Democrat Jim Martin. Another champion, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), was tied with his opponent, Democrat Jeff Merkley.
Once all the election results come in, Washington lobbyists for the produce industry will be scrutinizing the Obama administration's Cabinet choices and whether they support specialty crop priorities.
Ms. Foster said that the apple industry, which exports one-quarter of its crop, also would be eyeing the U.S. trade representative choice and the Obama administration's position on looming trade agreements.
"It's hard to say what the new majority in Congress will do," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association, based here, told The Produce News. But the first litmus test may be who sets the agenda among leaders in the White House, Senate and House and whether there's a strong commitment to tackle immigration reform, he said.
There's a window of opportunity as President-elect Barack Obama (D-IL) has endorsed immigration reform in the past. Mr. Guenther said that he hopes Congress starts addressing immigration reform by late spring or early summer. The issue may gain momentum next year as Democrats move to solidify their new Hispanic base, which backed Mr. Obama on Nov. 4, he added.
"I think the new Democrat-led Congress and White House will be extremely positive for immigration reform," said Nancy Foster, president of the U.S. Apple Association. Without access to a reliable labor force, the apple industry has suffered like other labor-intensive agriculture industries.
It's unclear, though, with the souring economy and looming foreign policy issues where the industry's quest for a stable and legal workforce may land on the priority list. Everyone will want a piece of the pie next year. Farm bill spending priorities secured last year for specialty crops will need to be defended in a tough economic climate, warned Mr. Guenther.
While a Democrat-controlled Washington may favor nutrition policies, it is also more likely to enact new food-safety legislation. "I think it will happen," said Ms. Foster, whose group favors a risk-based approach to changing food-safety rules.
There is opposition to any food-safety bill that depends on food industry taxes to finance it, said Mr. Guenther. In a tight economy, there are questions about who will pay for food-safety reform. Another food-safety crisis could move it up on the agenda list, however.
One advocate for the apple industry will not return to Congress next year. Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY) was a "strong friend of the apple industry. We are saddened by his loss," said Ms. Foster. "We believe the new person representing that district will still care about apple growers."
Two senators who have been champions for the specialty crop industry were locked in races too close to call when the Nov. 10 issue of The Produce News went to press.
Incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the leading Republican on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee, was leading by a slim margin against Democrat Jim Martin. Another champion, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), was tied with his opponent, Democrat Jeff Merkley.
Once all the election results come in, Washington lobbyists for the produce industry will be scrutinizing the Obama administration's Cabinet choices and whether they support specialty crop priorities.
Ms. Foster said that the apple industry, which exports one-quarter of its crop, also would be eyeing the U.S. trade representative choice and the Obama administration's position on looming trade agreements.
