U.S Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited the World Ag Expo in Tulare on Tuesday. In a town hall meeting, Perdue told a room of farmers and industry leaders that he wants the Trump administration’s rollback of regulations to extend to agriculture.
“We’re trying to look at every regulation that may impede your productivity and that’s what we’re gonna talk about today,” said Perdue. “I want to hear from you very candidly.”
Perdue also said he hopes immigration reform includes provisions for undocumented immigrants who work in agriculture. He said they’re a necessary part of the industry.
“The president himself understands that, he understands what foreign-born workers have contributed to agriculture,” Perdue said.
Valley congressional leaders of both parties attended the town hall, with one notable exception: Tulare Republican Devin Nunes.
Today Perdue will be at the San Luis Reservoir in Merced County with Congressman Jim Costa and local water experts to address another thing California farmers want; more water.
