NFU backs plan to combat reduced workforce issues

Having already experienced a shortage of harvest workers last year and with fears the problem will be worse this season, the Association of Labour Providers and the English NFU have combined to draw up a plan to make more efficient use of a reduced workforce.

So far, Environment Secretary Michael Gove has resisted requests for a return to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, which saw up to 12,000 workers come in annually from countries as diverse as Moldova and China before it was closed in 2008.

Up until now, that gap has been filled with a workforce drawn from the EU, but with Brexit looming, this source of labour has become more uncertain.

Stephanie Maurel, chief executive of labour provider Concordia, said: “Last year we experienced fewer candidates turning up to recruitment events in Europe, a higher number of people not arriving in the UK to take up their job offer, and more workers returning home earlier in the season.

“The feedback we had from the workforce was that they are confused over what Brexit means for them, the exchange rate isn’t as attractive and they are looking for jobs outside farming. This is especially Agricultural policy is at the heart of the split between the Scottish and UK governments.

Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell said of the EU Withdrawal Bill: “It would potentially prevent the Scottish Parliament legislating to protect farmers – and as the First Minister has made clear, a whole raft of policies are potentially threatened, including food standards.

“The devising of support schemes that account for the different challenges faced by Scottish farmers, such as the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, could also be under threat.” true of those with good levels of English.”

English NFU horticulture and potatoes board vicechairman Derek Wilkinson said: “Without a reliable workforce we don’t have a business, so we should do everything we can do to attract people to work in farming, whether that’s for a few months … or on a permanent basis.”

The plan covers such issues as increased efficiency in harvesting to sharing labour to avoid under-employment.

Wilkinson added: “Farming is a long-term business – on my farm we will be making planting decisions this summer in preparation for next season. I will do everything in my power to attract the workers I need but government has a pivotal role to play here.”

Maurel was confident her company would be able to meet clients’ labour requirements in 2018 but warned: “Both we, and the businesses we supply workers to, will need to continue to work hard to attract the right number and calibre of workers.”