WASHINGTON, DC -- Beginning December 31, 2021, the Biden Administration lifted restrictions on travel from South Africa. The White House had imposed the travel moratorium on South Africa and seven other southern African nations in November.
USA Rice joined 60 other agriculture organizations in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on December 13 requesting an exemption from travel limitations as a National Interest Exception and more flexibility on COVID-19 vaccination requirements (see
USA Rice Daily, December 15, 2021).
“USA Rice commends the Administration for lifting travel restrictions on these critical agricultural laborers from South Africa,” said Kirk Satterfield, a Mississippi rice farmer and chair of USA Rice Farmers. “Given the nature of the work and tight labor market we’re currently facing, it’s vital rice farmers have access to a steady and stable workforce.”