Migration review must act quickly, says NFU

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “The NFU is pleased that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will provide a detailed analysis on the UK’s labour requirements but we need this review to act quickly.

“Like many other sectors depending on a competent and reliable workforce, farmers and growers will need to secure their labour needs for 2019 well before the scheduled MAC report. So we will do all we can to assist the MAC understand why labour is needed, when and for what purposes.

“Hearing the reassurance from government that the industry won’t face a Brexit cliff-edge scenario in March 2019 is important but we worry that this may not be enough to encourage EU workers to UK farms.

“The NFU cannot emphasise enough the urgent need for clarity and certainty on access to a competent and reliable workforce and all other issues relating to Brexit.

“The industry needs commitments that there will be sufficient numbers of permanent and seasonal workers from outside the UK post-Brexit. The food and farming sector, worth £109 billion, provides the raw ingredients that feed the nation and there must be recognition of its importance to the UK economy.”