Perdue Discusses Labor During Recent Trip To Mexico

During his recent trip to Mexico, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said the conversation turned to labor issues.

"Encouraging Mexico to do what we feel like other triangle countries are doing help to pre-certify," Perdue noted. "Particularly those farmers and people in southeastern Mexico who would like to come to the U.S. for economic opportunities, and are reliable AG labor workforce there to work with us in that way they seem very interested in that."

The Secretary adds that both countries tend to agree on a modernized H2-A program that would allow for a trade labor pool for US producers, and economic opportunity for migrant laborers.

"We've had some issues this year over where recruiters have been called into having people pay and there have been some difficulties with the State Department over some recruiter that may not have been playing by the rules this would eliminate that."

A concept secretary Perdue said, Mexican officials like and would participate in via pre-certification processes.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com