Meat Sector Needs Immigration Reform

Often when farm labor shortages are discussed fruits and vegetables are some of the first commodities that come to mind.  But, the livestock sector is quick to point out they need workers as well, and they don’t have the benefit of the H-2A program.

“If we could improve H-2A and we've long argued that we would like to be part of H-2A and meat and poultry processing sector, that would help a lot in alleviating across the harvest part of meat and poultry production, what we could do to enhance our labor force,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute.

Potts said consumers only need to look back at the pandemic as an example of what happens when meat processing facilities are short workers.  She noted that during the pandemic, productivity decreased by 30%-50%.

How Can Technology Meet Worker Shortages?

So much of the conversation about addressing labor needs revolves around technology, and automation.  Potts said while there are many technologies in development that have great potential for the poultry and meat processing sector, technology is not a silver bullet.

“But that takes capital and as you know, the market for beef and pork, and a little bit in chicken has not been as strong as it was before and during the pandemic. So, I think you saw maybe a bit of a slowdown on some of those investments. They will continue, but it is not going to solve the problem comprehensively. We need immigration reform. We need a steady, stable legal workforce and no amount of automation is going to take that place. People working in our plants. Will be repurposed. They won't lose their jobs because of automation.”

Potts added as technology is incorporated in processing, there will be plenty of places where human workers are needed, from technicians to frontline workers, as well as C-Suite.

Another question facing meat processors, and all of Ag, is how to get the next generation interested and involved.  How does Potts see the meat sector addressing that question, find out by listening to our podcast below:

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