According to The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) rural employers often need extra workers to help deal with busy periods, such as the lambing season or harvesting, and that is where bosses need to follow the letter of the law.

CLA West Midlands director Caroline Bedell said: “Many businesses choose to take on temporary staff to deal with short-term increases in work, rather than permanent employees.

“If you use this sort of workforce to provide a service in a licensed sector, such as farming or forestry, you must be licensed by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

“If you decide to use a labour provider to supply your business with temporary workers, you must also ensure that the supplier is licensed by the authority.”

Mrs Bedell added: “It is illegal for a labour provider to operate without a licence. It is also a criminal offence for a labour user to knowingly make an agreement to obtain workers from an unlicensed provider.”

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to prevent workers - particularly illegal immigrants - being exploited by gangmasters.

Licensing legislation covers agriculture, forestry, horticulture, shellfish gathering, food processing and packaging.

For more information, contact the Gangmasters Licensing Authority on 0845 602 5020 or email enquiries@gla.gsi.gov.uk