Seasonal farm work visa scheme has been extended until 2024 following farmers’ repeated complaints about post-Brexit labour shortages.
The announcement by the government came after demands of professionals of the industry including warning regarding the impact of Brexit on food security. The announcement came on Christmas Eve though the Home Office has previously hesitated to increase the number of visas allocated to seasonal workers.
As per extension to the seasonal worker visa scheme, foreign workers can come to the UK for up to six months to work in the horticulture sector.
Under the seasonal worker visa route, 30,000 visas are available next year, with the potential for this to increase by a further 10,000.
The number of visas available will be kept under review and will taper down from 2023, the Home Office and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said.
While it has acknowledged the sector’s reliance on foreign workers, the government reportedly wants employers to improve pay and conditions to attract more UK workers.
Minister for Safe and Legal Migration Kevin Foster said: “The extension to the Seasonal Worker visa route strikes the right balance of supporting the industry while it transitions to employing and prioritising domestic workers.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has repeatedly called for immediate action to address the workforce shortages in the agricultural sector.
NFU’s members claimed that they have had to throw away produce and cut back on production because of a lack of staff.
In September, the National Pig Association revealed that more than 70,000 pigs faced being destroyed because of staff shortages.
The pandemic, EU nationals returning home due to Brexit and the UK’s crackdown on immigration are also contributory factors behind the labour challenges, according to the NFU.
Following the extension of the seasonal work visa, Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, said in a statement: “This is positive news for the thousands of fruit, veg and flower growers that rely on essential seasonal workers to help pick, pack and grade our iconic fresh produce.
“These growers will be extremely relieved to have clarity over the future of the scheme for the next three years.”
