A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street has confirmed that freedom of movement between the UK and the rest of the EU will end in March 2019, two years after Theresa May’s triggering of Article 50.

The confirmation followed contradictory messages from senior government figures last week, with Chancellor Phillip Hammond and Defra Minister Michael Gove both indicating that a transitional period could see freedom of movement extending beyond 2019. Also last week, Home Secretary Amber Rudd promised that there will be an implementation period when the UK leaves the EU to ensure there is no ‘cliff edge’ for employers or EU citizens in the UK. She made the promise whilst announcing the government’s first study into the role of EU nationals in the UK economy and society.

However, speaking on on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme on Wednesday, immigration minister Brandon Lewis said freedom of movement will come to an end when the UK leaves the EU in spring 2019.

On Monday, Theresa May’s official spokesperson appeared to give the PM’s backing to Lewis, stating, “Free movement will end in March 2019. We've published proposals on citizens' rights. Last week the Home Secretary said there would be a registration system for EU nationals arriving post-March 2019.

"Other elements of the post-Brexit immigration system will be brought forward in due course. It would be wrong to speculate on what these might look like or to suggest that free movement will continue as it is now."

The Prime Minister herself is currently on holiday in Europe.

Though farmers voted overwhelmingly for Brexit in last June’s referendum, farming and veterinary industry groups have since highlighted the need for continued access to workers from overseas.

Surveys from the farming sector have illustrated that employers are already struggling to find workers, which could have an impact on food prices and availability in the UK, and vets have warned that, despite Harper Adams and Keele Universities’ joint memorandum investigating the possibility for a specialist UK veterinary college, the huge proportion of veterinary researchers and academics from overseas in the UK means the country may not have the home-grown capabilities to deliver appropriate training.
 
On Thursday, industry leaders from NFU Scotland met with Ministers from the UK Government’s Department for Exiting the EU and Scotland Office to discuss Scottish agriculture’s reliance on migrant labour. The NFUS delegation stressed the need for any post-Brexit immigration system to include a Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) that allows for seasonal workers to enter the country to work on farms for up to ten months in a year.

After the meeting, NFUS president Andrew McCornick, commented, “There is not a single fruit farm in Scotland that could operate without access to overseas workers and there are many other agricultural businesses which rely on such employees. It is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 15,000 seasonal workers employed within the Scottish agricultural sector at any one time.

“The producers present at the meeting highlighted that they have already witnessed a drop in the numbers of EU workers coming to work on Scottish farms this season – due to a range of factors linked to the drop in the value of their wages and EU nationals not feeling welcome in the UK.

“Without this supply of labour, crops are likely to be left unharvested and wasted.  More food will have to be imported, driving up food prices.  Depending on the post-Brexit trade agreements, this may make certain sectors less competitive on world markets, or make businesses unviable, resulting in challenges to UK production and domestic food security.

“This is hugely concerning and damaging to the confidence of Scottish producers, and NFUS is calling upon UK Government to give reassurance to EU nationals who are needed and valued within agriculture and local economies. NFUS will make strong representations to the Migration Advisory Committee recently appointed by the Home Office to this effect.”