H2AS IN MEXICO DODGE A POLITICAL BULLET WHEN CONSULATE RE-OPENS

Greenhouse plant clipping looms on the horizon for many farmers, as it does in this file photo of a worker at Cross Creek Seed in Raeford, N.C. Leaf production in a pandemic: On Monday, it was stated that the American consulate in Mexico would be shut down, meaning that H2As would be destined for the U.S. could not be processed. That would have been a disaster for American growers. But negotiations since appear to indicate that the consulate will remain open for processing of workers with a history of H2A work here, although new applicants may not be considered. This situation, like everything connected with coronavirus, could change, but at the moment, it appears that legal migrant workers will be available this season. Notes on plant production from selected states: --In Kentucky, plant production in greenhouses is well on its way, says Bob Pearce, Kentucky Extension tobacco specialist. "Probably 60 percent to 70 percent are complete. Some of the plants are up and looking good, but most are two-leaf stage or less." --In South Carolina, grower Ben Teal of Patrick said on March 18 that his plants in the greenhouse were in fine condition and that he would start transplanting soon. But he will definitely plant less acreage. "I would love to have 20 or 25 acres," he said. "I have had as much as 80 acres."   --In North Caro-lina as well, the plant season has gone well, says Matthew Vann,  tobacco special-ist. He is sure there will be  enough plants for this crop. "Transplanting is probably two or three weeks away from be-ginning, and when it does, it will probably begin in the southeastern part of the state." The Extension Service is committed to supplying farmers with the information they need, but thanks to the pandemic, the modus operandi is changing a bit. "Instead of making farm visits, we are communicating with text messages, email and telephone," says Vann. "That reduces the chance of accidental transmission of this disease." Case in point: A farmer needed advice on a condition in his float plants. Vann arranged for the farmer to bring a tray to Raleigh, leave it in a sheltered space, and Vann went there later, picked it up, and diagnosed the problem. Social distancing was maintained. Bottom line: The Extension tobacco specialists haven't given up on tobacco farmers. Don't give up on them. The remaining GAP farmer training meetings have been canceled. But there may be some rescheduling if some form could be found that complies with current regulations. Watch this space in future issues to find out more. Coronavirus is everywhere: The CEO of Altria, Howard Williard, tested positive for COVID-19 in mid March, along with another Altria employee. As a result, Altria temporarily suspended operations at PM USA's Manufacturing Center in Richmond, Va., for an expected two weeks. Also, Altria's cigar-making subsidiary--John Middleton--announced suspension of domestic operations for two weeks due to the effect of COVID-19 on the company's supply chain. But British American Tobacco reported only "limited impact" from COVID-19 as of March 18. It had no plans to cease operating any of its facilities. REPORT FROM OVERSEAS The largest cigarette makers in Brazil--British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International--will apparently be forced to defend themselves in a lawsuit in Brazil over compensation for smoking-related diseases, 22 years after the similar litigation in the U.S. For about a year, the companies have refused to accept subpoenas connected with the lawsuit delivered to their local subsidiaries sent by the Brazilian solicitor general's office, maintaining they are subsidiaries only and directing notifications directly to their parent companies' headquarters in Britain and the United States. But the federal judge hearing the case ruled that the companies are the operational wings of the parent companies and fully capable of relaying the notifications to their head offices. She gave them 30 days to present their defenses. One of our readers makes this comment on the Malawi leaf situation:  Malawi produces a filler style burley, compared to U.S., Brazil, Argentina and Guate-mala who produce flavor bur-ley. So the effect of events in Malawi (notably the exclusion of its leaf from the American market because of child labor infractions) will not be as great as they might have been.   NOTE: If you haven't signed on to receive the newsletter regularly or if you need to change an address, please click on "Join our mailing list" and follow the prompts. For more information, you can call me at 919-789-4631 or email me at cebickers@aol.com.