British farmers warn of a new harvest crisis if the government does not increase its quota for seasonal workers to ensure the arrival of thousands more for harvest.
Regency, one of Britain’s leading procurement companies, believes the government’s pilot project to send 2,500 temporary workers from non-EU countries to the UK is not enough. The company says that, according to the reviews of its members, it is necessary that the government scheme be expanded and allow hiring at least 10,000 seasonal agricultural workers.
Regency managing director Alex Demetriou said: “This year we are witnessing a significant labor shortage, which seems to be even greater than last year. In 2018, we commented on how the cultivated crop remained rotting and dying in the ground due to a lack of seasonal food pickers, and the forecast for this year looks even worse. ”
The Pilot Seasonal Workers government program aimed at allowing 2,500 temporary workers to enter the UK, but this is not enough to solve the problem. Agricultural enterprises and groups are calling for an increase to 10,000.
“Of course, British workers are in no hurry to help harvest and preserve food,” said the Regency Managing Director.
Less than five percent of workers in this agricultural sector live in the UK. The government has an acute choice; either import people or import goods, which can lead to higher prices. Alex Demetriou said that there are signs that, in any case, 2019 will be even more difficult.
“Being in a position where we leave field crops to die for the second year in a row is a shameful situation and more needs to be done to prevent another potentially miserable waste of products,” said the Managing Director of one of the leading British purchasing companies .
