NFU urges growers to complete Defra's seasonal worker survey

24 July 2026 1 minute read

To help understand the numbers and composition of the workforce, Defra have launched a new seasonal labour supply survey for growers.

Defra are running a survey to better understand the composition of the seasonal workforce.

They aim to further understanding of how the numbers of seasonal visa route workers, EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme), Ukrainian and UK citizen workers directly employed by growers for seasonal edible and ornamental work in the UK in 2025 and 2026 are changing.

It is important to understand the composition of the seasonal workforce in horticulture and possible increasing need for workers from the seasonal worker visa route.

The NFU urges all horticulture growers employing seasonal workers to complete the survey.

The survey closes at 5pm on 31 July.

Take the survey

More from NFUonline:

Seasonal Worker Scheme – latest information

NFU secures Seasonal Worker Scheme visas for 2026

NFU secures more flexibility for Seasonal Worker Scheme

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