The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) is likely to be scrapped next summer.

The Conservatives stated their intent to scrap it in their pre-election manifesto and sources confirm it is still likely with little resistance from the Liberal Democrats.

Under the current system, pickers in the field may earn more under the AWB than those in the packhouse earning National Minimum Wage.

The AWB had their annual meeting in June and The National Farmers’ Union have said it is likely to be another year until it is scrapped and uniform wages of NMW or higher are brought in. The agriculture industry remains the only sector outside the NMW.