In response to the potential adverse impact of proposed changes to the nation's H-2A regulations, a group of 13 produce industry leaders and advocates met with congressional and administration officials Wednesday. In a full day of meetings organized by the United Fresh Produce Association, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), the leaders discussed the confusion that has been generated over continued attempts to repeal reforms to the H-2A program and the impact the most recent proposed rule will have for producers.

"The visits provided the produce industry with a focused opportunity to share common concerns about the likely damage of the new H-2A regulations with lawmakers and federal entities that can really make a difference," said United Vice President of Government Relations and Legislative Afffairs Kam Quarles. "There are multiple facets of the proposed regulations that are simply bad for the produce industry, and effectively hamper operations that are trying to follow the rules and hire legal foreign guest workers."

The group's busy schedule included meetings with the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, the USDA Office of the Chief Economist, the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the offices of Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jim DeMint (R-SC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Judd Gregg (R-NH), and Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schulz (D-FL), Adam Putnam (D-FL), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Connie Mack IV (R-FL), Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL), Tom Rooney (R-FL), Allen Boyd (D-FL), John Spratt, Jr. (D-SC) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).

The group included Luawanna Hallstrom of Harry Singh & Sons, Fred Leitz of Leitz Farms, Mike Bartos of Consolidated Citrus, Mike Carlton of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Jack Mendiburo of Southern Gardens Citrus, Alan Temple of B&W Quality Growers, NCAE's Frank Gasperini, Jr., Charles Wingard of Walter P. Rawl & Sons, John Young of the New England Apple Council, Ray Prewitt of Texas Citrus Mutual, Jim Bryan of Western Growers and United's Quarles and Communications Manager Patrick Delaney.