The survey of labour providers shows they are currently unable to recruit sufficient workers to meet growers’ needs during the busy harvesting season, leaving more than 1,500 unfilled vacancies on British farms in May alone.
The NFU is calling on the government and newly-appointed Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove to provide reassurances to growers that there will be clarity on how farms will access a reliable and competent workforce, both today and post-Brexit.
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.
“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.
“Without that, this trend is likely to continue and at this stage in the season any further tightening in the workforce will hit hard on farms.”
The survey, covering the period January to May 2017, shows the number of labour providers unable to meet the requirements of the farms they supplied rose four-fold.
The proportion of returnees, which form a sizeable and dependable source of workers, has also dropped significantly throughout the first five months of the year, falling from 65% to 33%, a drop of nearly 50%.
Mrs Capper said: “Returnees are absolutely vital. Their past experience and technical ability makes them so valuable and losing them is a big concern.
“This robust survey represents 30% of the total seasonal workforce and it is crucial government understands the importance of seasonal workers to an industry that provides the raw ingredients to feed the nation.”
NFU key asks on labour include:
A commitment from government that farmers and growers will have access to sufficient numbers of permanent and seasonal workers from outside of the UK after the UK leaves the EU.
Clarity on the new rules for EU migrants living and working in the UK well before free movement ends in 2019. The Home Office should instruct the Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a full impact assessment of new immigration system options and their suitability for agriculture and horticulture.
