FINCH: FARM BILL WILL DESTROY NEW YORK FARMING INDUSTRY

            Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C,I - Springport) today voted against the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, saying it will destroy the state's agriculture industry because of the burdensome and costly regulations it creates.

            "This bill will place another massive, undue burden on farmers.

The farming industry is already on the verge of failure and, if this bill is to be signed into law, it will essentially end small family farms in New York," said Finch.  "It's just another example of how not to legislate. These new regulations are the strictest in the nation.  Most businesses'  

            Under bill A. 1867, family farms would be required to pay time-and-a-half to workers for any hours worked in excess of eight per day. Farmers also would be forced to allow farm workers one day off per week, even during the seasons when constant supervision of animals and crops is essential.

            Farmers are already left shorthanded with an estimated 25 percent of crops lost each year due to a lack of labor.  This bill will force farmers to manage the hours of their workers, leaving them even further understaffed and ill-prepared to harvest their crops.

            "Having recently met with farmers in my district, I know that they were already facing a great struggle even without these new regulations," said Finch.  "The new law would put them out of business, plain and simple.  While the legislation is supposedly designed to help farm workers, it's going to have the exact opposite effect, limiting the hours for those that are lucky enough to be left with jobs."

-30-