The number of seasonal workers coming to work on British farms has dropped by 17%, leaving some farms critically short of people to harvest fruit and veg, according to a new survey by the NFU.

The survey of labour providers shows they are currently unable to recruit sufficient numbers of workers to meet growers’ needs during the busy harvesting season, leaving more than 1,500 unfilled vacancies on British farms in May alone.

In last year’s Brexit referendum, farmers voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU.
 
In response to the results of its survey, 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. In yesterday’s Queen’s Speech, the new government revealed that there will be an agriculture bill which will deliver farm policy and subsidy support, and an immigration bill that will outline border policy after Britain leaves the EU, though no indication has yet been made of what either bill will entail.
 
Commenting on Thursday, NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair 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.”