Labour availability has been high on the agenda in the horticulture sector for some time now. It’s not just to do with Brexit either – seasonal labour availability has been increasingly under pressure since the SAWS scheme was abolished in 2013.
However, it is the prospect of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit which moves labour availability from being ‘under-pressure’ to ‘catastrophic.’ We could see over half the seasonal workforce wiped out overnight, with devastating consequences for the industry.
I met with the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, earlier this month to press the need for government action. I was reassured to hear that the Home Office is putting considerable effort into what will happen in the event of a no-deal scenario. Although we are all hoping that a deal is agreed, the NFU continues to keep the pressure on to ensure that a strategy is in place to mitigate the potentially devastating consequences of a deal not being reached.
With the deadline to leave the EU rapidly approaching one thing is clear; we need the future of our labour supply resolved now, not waiting until the Brexit negotiations reach their conclusion when it will be too late to react.
Our members’ support on this matter is as important as ever. To help, we’ve put together this infographic summarising the headline figures for labour availability into a manageable format. If you’re meeting with your MP then please share this with them, and tell them about the direct impacts shortages of workers is having on your farm. Thank you for your continued support on this issue.