NFU warns of Brexit 'no deal' at Fruit Focus 2018

NFU warns of Brexit ‘no deal’ at Fruit Focus 2018

From l-r; Lee Abbey, Ali Capper, Nick von Westenholz. 

Labour availability dominated the discussions at two NFU seminars at Fruit Focus this week, as the future of labour provision appears to be increasingly precarious while the prospect of a ‘no deal’ increases.

Speaking in the first session - Building resilience before Brexit – NFU Horticulture and potatoes board chairman, Ali Capper, highlighted the importance of access to seasonal labour, and the potential end to free movement of labour in 2019 if no deal is made. Under this scenario, she explained, it would leave the industry 30,000 workers short which would be catastrophic for the sector.

NFU Director of EU Exit and International Trade, Nick Von Westenholz, talked about the need for continuity post-Brexit, not only on labour access but also to allow frictionless trade to be maintained and for clarity to be given over funding for Producer Organisations.

Ali Capper went on to chair the following session – The robots are coming, or are they? – a discussion on the role of robotics and automation within the sector. This session outlined exciting developments ahead for the industry, such as autonomous strawberry picking robots, augmented reality to assist pickers, and machines capable of working alongside people. The point came across that robotics are about increasing labour efficiency, not replacing labour altogether.  The take away message was clear: robotics will not be the answer to labour shortages anytime soon.

Outside of the NFU forums were a number of horticultural exhibitors representing all corners of the fruit sector, and despite the obvious sector challenges ahead there was still a positive atmosphere.