Migrants make up 20% of paid farm workers, department report reveals

ONE-in-five paid workers in the local agriculture sector are migrants, new data from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has found.

In a report published yesterday, DAERA said on November 1, 2017 there were an estimated 1,404 seasonal and non-seasonal workers from outside the UK and Republic employed in agri-jobs here. All but seven were from other EU countries.

An agricultural census carried out in June 2017 found that there were 6,580 paid employees working on farm businesses here,

Concern: Ivor Ferguson

meaning just over 21% of those workers were migrants.

DAERA’s research found that there were a further 676 seasonal migrant workers, who were present in the year preceding November 1 2017, but no longer present on the farm at the time of the survey.

The findings follow last week’s report from the CBI in Northern Ireland, which suggested a substantial cut to both EU and international migrant workers post-Brexit could see GDP decrease by 9.1% by 2041. A lesser scenario involving a 50% cut to EU inward migration only could see GDP reduce by 5.3% in the same period.

Yesterday’s report showed certain sub-sectors within agriculture are particularly reliant on migrant workers.

A survey of 163 farms found 65 classed as horticulture farm businesses employed a total of 974 migrant workers, representing 78% of its paid workforce. It also said 32% of non-seasonal migrant workers were from Bulgaria, with 28% from Lithuania.

Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ivor Ferguson said the organisation is growing increasingly concerned about how such labour demands will be met after the UK leaves the EU.

“Some farm businesses and the majority of food processors are heavily dependent on seasonal and permanent workers from EU countries,” he said.

“The UFU has argued any Brexit deal must recognise this, otherwise there will be considerable disruption to the entire agriculture and food supply chain.”

And NI Food and Drink Association executive director Michael Bell said it was also becoming increasingly concerned.

He claimed the food processing sector in particular has already experienced a decline in EU workers since the Brexit vote.

“If our access to labour becomes more restricted, it will be impossible for us to remain competitive against the Republic of Ireland and other countries which can avail of a steady flow of labour,” Mr Bell added.

“Farm labour and food processing labour are very much interrelated — we need to consider them together and require a continuous supply of both to continue to compete and grow.”