A new report by the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee claims that UK food production industry would "permanently" shrink unless the problems surrounding it were dealt with. It comes despite some Brexiteers saying leaving the EU could make Britain more self-sufficient in food.
MPs say vacancies in the food production sector are estimated to be 500,000 out of 4.1 million roles in August 2021. These labor shortages “due principally to Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic”, the MPs said, citing evidence from industry leaders.
Seasonal agricultural laborers from the EU who previously helped with the harvest each year now need to apply for a work scheme; this has caused many to stay away. As a result MPs and industry figures have said crops are going unharvested and rotting in the fields.
Source: msn.com/en-gb
