The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is calling on people to take up jobs on farms to save this year’s harvest. Travel restrictions and illness could leave a shortage of up to 80,000 agricultural workers. The UK Government should help by encouraging those who have lost their jobs to work on farms, help identify new opportunities and classify agricultural workers as ‘key workers’. These measures will keep viable businesses afloat.
Government and industry figures show that over 60,000 seasonal labourers come to the UK each year to help complete annual harvests. Yet travel restrictions are expected to make it almost impossible for farmers to access the labour they need.
The CLA is estimating that 75% of these workers will be unable to enter the UK due to coronavirus-related restrictions on the freedom of movement. This leaves a shortage of 45,000 workers. Once a potential infection rate of 20% is factored in for all workers on farm, another 35,000 people could be removed from the workforce. To cope with these changes, the entire industry will require 80,000 employees.
Time is of the essence: vegetable growers are already beginning to crop, lambing season has reached its peak and soft fruit – which must be picked within a 3 day time period – is due to begin in April.
Demand for labour comes at a time when thousands of people find themselves suddenly out of employment. We are urging people to seriously consider taking up an important role in Britain’s agriculture and food processing sectors, which offer decent rates of pay and more varied roles than people think.
Following calls from the CLA, the UK Government has announced that workers in agriculture and food processing are to be included as ‘key workers’ and offered emergency childcare provision. This is an immediate issue: the closure of the schools is limiting labour supplies for sites such as poultry units, fruit and vegetable planting and harvesting. These workers must be able to travel for work to avoid short-term animal welfare issues, but also ensure longer-term food production.
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Posted On: 24/03/2020