NFU lobbying sees Home Office announce increase in SAWS quota

Lobbying by the NFU has seen Home Office minister Phil Woolas announce an increase in the size of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme quota today.

NFU and industry partners joined forces to persuade ministers there was a compelling case for the need to increase the SAWS quota to reflect the difficulties experienced by the horticulture industry in sourcing sufficient seasonal labour to pick fruit and harvest crops.

Problems date back to restrictions made to SAWS in 2006 and threats to phase out the scheme in 2010.

NFU horticulture board chairman Richard Hirst said: “This increase in quota is good news and shows that ministers have listened to the evidence we submitted to them directly and via the Migration Advisory Committee. It makes sense that British growers are able to supply the British fruit and vegetables in season, which consumers say they want, especially as food security is such a key issue.

“I understand the announcement means there will be an increase in the SAWS quota by 5,000 for 2009. While this is positive, in order to maintain business confidence, it is important that a long term view of seasonal labour needs is considered.

“We will be working with the Home Office and Defra to establish a strategy that ensures growers can plan the development of their businesses in the confidence that there will be sufficient seasonal labour in the future”.

Notes to editor:

1. The SAWS scheme is a seasonal workers scheme that enables students, in the main, from EU countries to come to the UK and return home once the season closes. Numbers were reduced to 16,250, from 25,000 at its peak, in 2006. The NFU has lobbied to get the numbers increased and to see the scheme retained.

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