Labour shortage fears raised with minister

The NFU has raised concerns over seasonal worker shortages and urged farmers and growers to co-sign a letter on the issue to immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

The letter, penned by NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw, asks for urgent clarity on the number of visas available for workers.

See also: Report shows horticulture sector on a knife edge

The union fears that current government commitments will fall short of what was needed by the British horticulture sector.

In the letter Mr Bradshaw explained that a continued lack of people to pick crops posed a serious threat to the UK’s horticulture industry.

While the government’s own food strategy includes an ambition for growth in horticulture, domestic production is falling at a worrying rate and is way below its potential, he said.

Fruit and vegetables, plants and flowers going unpicked have led to a significant financial loss for British producers and nutritious food being wasted, Mr Bradshaw added.

He highlighted NFU data showing that labour shortages peaked at 40% in the spring and had averaged 15% across the year to date.

Securing sufficient seasonal labour remained an acute challenge for the sector despite announcements that the seasonal workers scheme would continue until 2024, he said.

“We remain concerned that the number of visas available are not sufficient to prevent further crop losses and a continued fall in UK production,” Mr Bradshaw said.

He called for clarity on the scheme and a collaborative approach between the Home Office and the NFU to find solutions.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick MP has also been offered the opportunity to visit a farm to see the challenges first-hand as growers seek to work with the government to find solutions.

Add your name

A link to co-sign the letter is available on the NFU website.

The deadline for adding your name is 29 November 2022.