Oregon farm groups push back against HB 2548

DAILY Bites

• Oregon farm leaders warn that House Bill 2548 could impose excessive regulations, further harming the state’s struggling agricultural industry.

• Opponents argue that Oregon already has strong labor protections, and the bill represents unnecessary government overreach.

• Lawmakers and industry leaders fear the bill will force more small farms out of business, accelerating the loss of family-owned operations.

DAILY Discussion

House Bill 2548 is facing strong opposition from Oregon’s agricultural community, with industry leaders and lawmakers warning of severe consequences for family farms. Opponents argue that the bill represents government overreach and could further damage an already struggling industry.

Tami Kerr, Executive Director of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, highlighted the challenges the state’s dairy sector has faced in recent years during a press conference. “Over the past five years, Oregon has lost 57 dairy farms. That’s nearly 30 percent of our total farm numbers,” she said. “House Bill 2548 isn’t about farmers and farm workers. It’s about government overreach, political posturing, and division.”

The decline of small farms extends beyond the dairy industry. Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo) emphasized the broader impact on Oregon agriculture. “From 2017-2022, we’ve lost 2,000 family farms in Oregon, and every year, our farms lose money,” she said. “If HB 2548 passes, I will be forced to navigate a bureaucratic and legal maze, where every decision could lead to litigation, penalties, or financial disaster.”

Farm organizations fear that the bill would impose unrealistic regulations, making it difficult for family-owned farms to stay in business.

Lesley Tamura, Board Chair of Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, expressed concern over the bill’s lack of oversight. “We support health and safety standards to protect our employees, but we cannot support overregulation that damages us as farmers, and our employees,” she stated. “This board would have no oversight. They could create whatever kind of wage and safety standard laws they want, and because we simply cannot afford to keep up with those unreasonable standards, we would have no choice but to close up shop and sell to the highest bidder.”

Supporters of the bill argue that it aims to protect farmworkers, but critics insist that Oregon already has stringent labor protections in place.

Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) pushed back against the need for further regulations. “This bill is being presented as a way to protect farmworkers, but here’s the truth: Oregon already has some of the strongest labor protections in the country. We follow strict safety standards, provide fair wages, some offer housing, and comply with a long list of regulations designed to keep workers safe,” she said. “I will oppose HB 2548, and I will fight for farms and farmworkers alike to support their success and work to help all to thrive in this state.”