WASHINGTON – A national tracking poll commissioned by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) revealed that 82% of US voters support Congress lowering food prices through immigration reform.

The poll, conducted Nov. 11-14 by Morning Consult, found that 88% of Democrats, 79% of Republicans and 80% of independents said addressing food costs with bipartisan immigration reform was important to them.

The Senate is considering the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which proponents say would provide a more reliable labor force for the agriculture and food industry.

Among the 1,991 registered voters polled by Morning Consult, 65% support Congress passing the act, while only 11% opposed it.

The IDFA’s leadership shared its standpoint, explaining that the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would “provide more flexibility for employers with year-round labor needs while ensuring critical protections for workers.” The IDFA also brought up that the act supports border security through a nationwide E-Verify system that would give companies the ability to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the US.

“An overwhelming majority of American voters want Congress to work together to address rising food costs through immigration reform,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA’s president and chief executive officer. “Fortunately, Congress has before it a tremendous opportunity to do just that. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a bipartisan bill that would lower food costs while also providing solutions for undocumented immigrants already in the United States and supporting our nation’s border security.”

Dykes said the polling demonstrates that immigration reform isn’t a divisive issue “when the repercussions of inaction are explained to voters.” On behalf of the IDFA, Dykes urged Congress to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

US labor shortages impacting various levels of the dairy industry also led to the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association recently making public its requests for Congress to reform immigration laws, calling for changes that would reinforce the industry.

 More information from the Morning Consult poll can be found online at the IDFA website.