Number of seasonal workers coming to British farms falls

NFU urges Michael Gove to give reassurance over labour access

The number of seasonal workers coming to British farms is down 17% on levels needed to harvest this season’s fruit and veg, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned.

A survey by the NFU of labour providers revealed they were unable to recruit sufficient numbers of workers, three quarters of whom come from Romania and Bulgaria, for the busy harvest season.

The farming body called on Environment Secretary Michael Gove to provide reassurances to growers that there will be clarity on how farms will access a reliable and competent workforce now and after Brexit.

There were more than 1,500 vacancies on British farms last month alone, a shortfall on recruitment targets of 17%, according to the survey which represents 30% of the 80,000-strong workforce and covers the period January to May.

The shortfall, at a time when the bulk of seasonal workers arrive, is much greater than for May last year, when only 143 roles were unfilled.

It also revealed a drop in the proportion of workers who were returning having previously worked on British farms, down to a record low of 33% in May, while the proportion failing to arrive to take up work or leaving their job early has increased.

Returning workers have past experience and technical skills which makes them valuable, and losing them would be a “big concern”, NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper said.

“A lack of clarity regarding the UK’s future relationship with the EU and a weakened sterling has contributed to the reduction in workers on farm now being reported by labour providers who source seasonal workers,” she added.

“Farmers and growers need to know how the Government will deal with the need from industries that rely on seasonal workers and the NFU is calling for reassurance farmers will be able to source a reliable and competent workforce both now and in the future.”

Farmers and growers need to know how the Government will deal with the need from industries that rely on seasonal workers. ALI CAPPER