Source:  POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 1/31/22

Calling for H-2A flexibility at the border: A dozen lawmakers led by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) sent a letter on Friday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking the department to allow H-2A employers to vaccinate workers upon their arrival, and to work with industry to offer vaccination clinics at U.S. embassies and consular offices in the employee’s home country.

ICYMI: The bipartisan letter comes after DHS published a final rule last week that temporarily requires proof of vaccination in order to enter the U.S. through any land or sea ports. The move doesn’t include exceptions for essential travel.

“Growth in the number of H-2A employees coming to the United States, coupled with the need to replace employees who leave through general attrition, means that the number of employees who are either unvaccinated or have received unapproved vaccines will be substantial,” the lawmakers write.

Worst-case scenario,they say: Even a few days of delay in performing critical, time-sensitive tasks can affect the size and quality of the crop, and the rule could prevent employees from being able to travel to the U.S. to work at all this season.

The American Farm Bureau Federation voiced concern over the rule last week as well. The new regulations took effect Jan. 22 and are set to expire on April 21, unless amended or rescinded.

Meanwhile, up north: A convoy of Canadian truckers calling for an end to vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions is drawing attention on both sides of the border. The trucker convoy has police on high-alert after some supporters called for “civil war,” though organizers have urged peaceful protests.