Scots farmers join food and drink groups in demanding action to tackle labour shortage

NFU Scotland has written to the UK Government calling for immediate action as the labour crisis affecting the agricultural, food and drink sectors deepens.

In the past week, NFU Scotland joined with other Scottish food and drink organisations in writing to the UK and Scottish governments calling for urgent action to tackle the labour crisis in the industry ahead of the crucial Christmas season.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “I urge the UK Government to act. The concerns that I raise on behalf of farmers in Scotland are echoed by farming, food and drink organisations across the UK. I am in no doubt that without action, the current disruption will only worsen. A shortage of both permanent and seasonal workers, combined with a lack of haulage drivers and processing staff, is seriously impacting agricultural, food and drink businesses across Scotland. The implications of this ongoing shortage for business and the economy have been steadily building and the impact can no longer be absorbed by farmers and the food and drink industry. The ramifications are already in plain sight, focused on empty supermarket shelves, and the impacts are now being felt by consumers.

“NFU Scotland calls on the UK Government to take immediate action on labour to ensure that agriculture can continue to sustainably produce high quality food and drink for our country and our exports. This is vital for our farmers, rural communities, the wider supply chain and for our consumers.”

Market round-up

C&D Auctions sold 50 cattle at its weekly sale of primestock in Dumfries yesterday. Prime cattle sold to 161p/kg for a Limousin cross heifer, while OTMS were a plainer show but met keen demand when cast cows peaked at £1,421 or 183p. The 814 prime lambs at the sale sold to £125 or 265p/kg. There were 569 lambs in the 39-45kg weight range that averaged 239p.

The 366 heavy cast sheep peaked at £192 for Texel ewes and averaged £87, while 101 light ewes averaged £74.

Craig Wilson sold

1,002 prime lambs at Newton Stewart yesterday to average 237p/kg (-5p). Top price at the sale of £126 was achieved for two pens of heavyweights, while a pen of Beltex led per kilo at 269p. A large show of cast sheep sold to £132 for Texels, while Mules topped at £103 and Blackfaces to £94.

Caledonian Marts sold 3,607 store lambs and feeding ewes at Stirling. All classes of lambs were sharper on the week including 1,133 Blackface lambs averaging £54.47 (+£11.76 on the year). Mule lambs were also £2 up on the year when they averaged £73. Top price of the day was for a pen of Texels at £104.