Grower groups emphasize worker safety

On May 4, a national coalition of 64 organizations representing specialty crop producers (including several that greenhouse vegetable growers may be involved with) sent a letter to Congressional leadership highlighting "the extraordinary measures agricultural employers are taking to protect their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The letter states: "With every stage of the emerging COVID-19 crisis, our industry has worked hard to embrace all public health advice for social distancing, personal and facility hygiene, face coverings, and more. While awaiting specific on-farm guidance from the CDC, OSHA, and FDA, producers have implemented protocols based on general guidance from these agencies, as well as USDA and state and local public health and agriculture officials."

Members of the coalition emphasize that going forward, they will continually update safety protocols in accordance with all government guidance.

"We also look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and with the administration to ensure a safe workplace for our employees and a safe and abundant food supply for our country. In that regard, we note that we need to secure additional personal protective equipment. Farmers have some reserves of these supplies but as this crisis lingers, we are concerned about the ability to secure supplies in the future."

Read the full letter here.

Source and Photo Courtesy of Greenhouse Grower

Source: Greenhouse Grower