The Meat Institute is calling on the U.S. government to include meat and poultry processors in proposed reforms aimed at stabilizing and legalizing the agricultural workforce. The organization says processing facilities are a critical link in the food supply chain and essential to supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural economies.
As the Trump Administration considers updates to agriculture labor programs, the Institute is advocating for changes that would give processors access to a consistent, year-round, and legal workforce. While the current H-2A visa program supports seasonal agricultural workers, it excludes many meat and poultry processors who operate throughout the year.
Processors serve over 850,000 cattle, hog, and poultry producers across the country and supply meat to 98% of American households. The sector also provides well-paying jobs, with entry-level wages ranging from $16 to $24 per hour plus benefits, according to the Institute.
The call for reform comes amid growing bipartisan support for expanding access to the H-2A visa program. In 2023, the House Agriculture Committee launched the Agricultural Labor Working Group, which released its final report in 2024. The report emphasized the need for labor solutions that serve year-round industries like dairy, meat processing, and forestry.
The Meat Institute argues that modernizing visa programs and E-Verify systems would help maintain a strong, legal workforce and ensure the continued success of a vital segment of the U.S. food system.
