UK RULES on seasonal workers from overseas are in need of a revamp, if the agricultural sector is to avoid ‘disastrous’ labour shortages.
A new report has warned that Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, fluctuations in the value of the pound sterling, the improvement of the economies of countries in Eastern Europe and new immigration laws will exacerbate labour shortfalls in the coming years.
A study commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Farmers looked at labour issues existing for both seasonal and more permanent roles, and concluded that the shortage of workers could lead to increased reliance on imports and farms going out of business or relocating abroad.
Red flags were raised around the UK’s new immigration policy and how it is disadvantaging the farming industry. The report calls for farm labour requirements to be reviewed frequently, and the definitions of, and value placed upon, ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’ workers to be revisited and the points-based system adjusted accordingly to prevent the farming industry from being undermined.
The SF spoke…
