The Farm Credit Council yesterday joined 25 other agriculture organizations to urge the Trump administration, the Biden transition team and the National Governors Association to grant priority access of the COVID-19 vaccine for food and agricultural workers as vaccines are approved and ready for distribution. This recommendation is consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) designation of the food and agriculture sector as part of the nation’s essential critical infrastructure.
“We fully appreciate and support that our nation’s heroic first responders, medical professionals, elderly and caretakers, along with other vulnerable individuals, clearly have the highest priority for vaccination,” the letter states. “However, as you move beyond these highest priority groups, the undersigned organizations ask that front-line food and agriculture employees be included in the next highest priority group for the vaccine within any federal COVID-19 Vaccination Plans.”
This advocacy effort is focused on national policymakers and organizations. If you are interested in engaging on this topic with your governor or other state and local officials, here are some talking points and a sample script with key messages you may use.
The letters were signed by the Ag Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, CropLife America, Farm Credit Council, The Fertilizer Institute, Institute for Shortening and Edible Oils, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Sorghum Producers, North American Export Grain Association, North American Millers Association, United Egg Producers, United Fresh Produce Association and USA Rice Federation.
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns (vanhoose@fccouncil.com, 202-534-9830).