(NAFB) – The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the Biden administration to prioritize agriculture for the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a letter sent to the administration Wednesday, AFBF President Zippy Duvall called for the elimination of barriers to vaccine access for America’s farmers and farm workers. Duvall says, “This prioritization would ensure that planting, harvesting, processing, and distribution of human and animal food can continue to ensure our grocery shelves and food pantries remain stocked.”

The administration recently directed states to prioritize vaccines for teachers. AFBF’s request that similar action be taken for agriculture is consistent with the recommendations of several medical and science groups, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While farmers and farmworkers in some states have been able to access the vaccine, AFBF says other states have not allowed food and agriculture workers priority access.

Duvall asks the administration to “take additional action to eliminate any barrier to vaccine access for America’s farmers and farm workers.”