01 Mar 2010
Keeping New York’s Farms Working: A Discussion of New York’s Farm Labor Laws -- Agriculture Public Hearing
Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building
10:00 AM to 02:00 PM Archived Video
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
Notice of Public Hearing
Standing Committee on Agriculture
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine
Chair
Senator Catharine M. Young
Ranking Member
Sen. Neil D. Breslin
Sen. William T. Stachowski
Sen. Velmanette Montgomery
Sen. David J. Valesky
Sen. James L. Seward
Sen. George Winner
Sen. Michael H. Ranzenhofer
Subject:
Keeping New York’s Farms Working: A Discussion of New York’s Farm Labor Laws
Purpose:
To better examine how current farm labor laws affect the day-to-day operations and livelihood of farms in New York and the potential impact of the Farm Worker Fair Labor Practice Act.
Statement of Senator Aubertine, Chair:
“Over the past few decades, New York State has passed a series of laws to protect the rights, dignity and livelihood of farm workers, while maintaining a balance within an industry that does not operate on the set schedules we see in almost all other sectors of the economy. Current legislation stands to add to these regulations, which are already among the most rigorous and protective in the nation relating to farm labor. These new regulations would have a wide-ranging impact on the industry, our economy, and people throughout the state.
A closer look and thorough review is needed to ensure any new mandates will not devastate an already struggling industry, create disastrous unintended consequences for farm workers, force consumers to purchase under-regulated potentially dangerous food from foreign countries, or increase prices for families at a time when one in eight Americans struggle just to afford three meals a day. This hearing will enable us as a committee to listen to the concerns of both the advocates for this bill and the farmers who will bear the responsibility of adhering to its new regulations.
We have lost more than a farm a day in New York State over the past 30 years and there’s no question that we cannot afford to lose another industry, especially agriculture, which is a cornerstone of our economy.”
Monday, March 1, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location:
Hearing Room A
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
