RURAL RIGHTS

I read Gawain Towler’s article on Pick for Britain and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) with great interest (The Critic online, 9 May). He makes some fair arguments regarding the programmes, but he misses some key points on seasonal agricultural work itself. I have learned seasonal agricultural work is much more skilled and difficult than many commentators, and indeed those who sign up to the work, often realise.

While I was a Brexit Minister, I was often asked about SAWS. In the course of things, I was surprised to discover, for example, that when picking apples, you must not use your fingertips but rather the palm of your hand or you bruise the apple. It’s not trivial.

An experienced seasonal agriculture worker will successfully pick fruit at a much greater rate than a new starter and so have far more economic value to the farm. Farms focus on retention for this reason with many having the same overseas workers return every year. Most farms do use a mix of overseas and domestic workers, but retention levels are often much lower for domestic workers.

As a free marketeer, I understand why farms would prioritise experienced fruit pickers who are more likely to return each year from overseas, while implementing important training regimes for new domestic recruits.

It is vital we recognise difficult work, even if it contradicts our previously held assumptions. Maybe more would have signed up for Pick for Britain if we were clear it was not easy work that anyone could do, but rather a worthwhile skill for those who want it. Steve Baker MP

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire