Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 4/6/20

The outbreak has exposed major weaknesses in the U.S. farm labor system, both upping pressure on the federal government to make it easier to hire migrant labor, as well as highlighting the lack of health and safety protections for these "essential" workers, Pro Ag's Liz Crampton reports this morning.

Farm workers still planting and harvesting crops have a high risk of being infected given that they live, work and travel in crowded conditions. And most do not have health care or paid sick leave.

Meanwhile, farm owners worry that the closure of U.S. embassies, particularly in Mexico, will slow the flow of foreign workers into the U.S. — exacerbating an already chronic labor shortage on produce, livestock and nursery operations across the country

Labor advocates say agricultural employers and the federal government are not doing enough to address the problems, both for employers and workers. But lobbyists see an opportunity to slide provisions into an expected fourth stimulus bill that would provide some relief.

A large number of farmworkers are undocumented, long fearing deportation. Now, because food production has been declared a critical industry under federal guidelines, agricultural employers are giving these workers letters stating they're "essential," The New York Times reported.

Such letters are not a free pass from immigration authorities, who could still deport undocumented field workers at any time. But local law enforcement told the Times that the letters may give them a sense of security they won't be arrested for violating stay-at-home orders.