UK: EFRA re-open labour inquiry

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) have re-launched and re-opened an inquiry to investigate whether the labour situation faced by those working in agriculture, horticulture and food production has improved or deteriorated over the past year, and to inquire into whether the Government’s statements at the time have proven accurate.

The Committee will be holding evidence sessions between now and the Easter recess and is seeking written evidence to inform its inquiry. The Committee would welcome written submissions from businesses and organisations in the agriculture, horticulture and food sectors addressing the following questions:

Has the labour supply available to your business/sector improved or deteriorated in the past 12 months? What effect has this had on the economic performance of your business/sector?
What estimate have you made of the labour situation in your business/sector over the next 12 months and up to the UK’s planned date for leaving the EU?
The Government in early 2017 told the then Committee that reports of foreign labour shortages were “anecdotal” and that there would not be a problem of foreign labour supply while the UK remained subject to free movement rules as a member of the European Union. Has this statement proven accurate, or have difficulties in recruiting foreign labour increased even though the UK remains a member of the EU?
In early 2017, the Government’s long-term policy aim was to make the agricultural, horticultural and food sectors “less reliant on migrant labour and use more UK workers”. Has there been any sign of successful Government action towards that objective?

Written submissions will be welcomed up to a deadline of 26 February.

You can submit evidence and read more about it through this link.

Source: AHDB Horticulture