23 July 2021
Responding to the announcement, NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw said: “While this is good news and will help ease pressures for many businesses within the food supply chain, such as processing plants and distribution centres, it doesn’t go far enough to avoid disruption further down the chain – particularly for those who can offer more Covid-19 security while keeping food supply moving.
“It is important to think about the whole food supply chain right back to farm because they produce the food that keeps processing plants and distribution centers going.
"We are hearing reports from farmers and growers who have robust Covid-19 security plans in place but are increasingly concerned about workforce shortages, especially as the rise in Covid-19 cases coincides with the start of harvest and when the picking and packing of fruit and veg is in full swing.”
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